Press Releases

State v. Janeal Jerome Thompson, C-08-CR-18-000956

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Janeal Jerome Thompson, 27 of Bryans Road, to 65 years for the First-Degree Murder of Ronarj Henderson and related charges. Thompson received an additional 12 years in prison for violating probation in two unrelated cases and 1 year in prison for a separate Possession of Heroin charge.

On August 5, 2019, after a 6-day trial in front of a Charles County jury, Thompson entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court to the aforementioned charges before the jury announced their verdict.

On November 2, 2018, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation of the victim’s murder after receiving a report that he was possibly shot and killed by Thompson a few days prior. It was also reported that Thompson’s girlfriend at the time, co-defendant Sarah Elizabeth Defilippo and co-defendant Steven Tyler Danielson were present during the murder.

The investigation revealed that during the evening hours of October 27, 2018, Thompson aggressively put his hand on Defilippo’s face in the presence of the victim. When the victim and defendants returned to Thompson’s home later that evening, the victim told Defilippo that she deserved to be treated better. Defilippo then went to sleep inside of the residence, while Thompson, Danielson, and the victim slept in a vehicle outside. The following morning, Defilippo entered the vehicle with the three men and drove to a gas station. The victim was asleep in the front passenger seat of the vehicle at the time. Thompson became angry after Defilippo disclosed the comments the victim made the prior night. During the drive, Thompson, who was seated directly behind the victim, produced a handgun and shot the victim in the head while he was still sleeping. Thompson then threw a jacket over the victim’s body while Defilippo continued to drive.

Defilippo was directed by Thompson to pick up co-defendant Eric Nolan Washington, who helped Thompson dispose of the victim’s body in a heavily wooded area of Smith Point Road in Nanjemoy. Before leaving, Thompson took the victim’s shoes, cell phone, and wallet. The victim was missing for several days before his murder was reported by a family member of Defilippo.
Thompson and Defilippo were apprehended together on November 2, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. Defilippo confessed to witnessing Thompson kill the victim, which was corroborated by extensive evidence, including DNA evidence found on the gun and in the vehicle.

Defilippo, Danielson, and Washington previously entered guilty pleas in Charles County Circuit Court to Accessory after the Fact.

Prior to Thompson’s sentencing, Defilippo and Danielson received 5 years supervised probation. Washington received 3 years in prison.

During Thompson’s sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen addressed the judge, “The defendant has to be held accountable for his actions. He has a history of violence. He’s a danger to the community. – He killed a man while he was sleeping. He should not be in the community with such violent tendencies; he killed a man who was supposed to be his friend.”

Before sentencing Thompson, Judge H. James West stated, “This is a sad event with four young people doing drugs in a car. – I’ve yet to see, until this case, someone shot while they’re asleep. The victim was shot for really no reason. This was beyond a murder – this was an execution.”

Charges
C-08-CR-18-000956
• First-Degree Murder
• Possession of a Firearm after Disqualifying Conviction
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of Handgun in a Vehicle
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence

State v. Raymund Antoine Bradford, C-08-CR-18-000884

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Raymund Antoine Bradford, 42, to 18 years in prison and 5 years of supervised probation for Armed Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

On July 8, 2019, Bradford entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On March 21, 2018, officers responded to Drive-In Liquor in Faulkner for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers made contact with store owner Pargat Mand, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm. Mand was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

An investigation revealed that during the afternoon hours of March 21, Bradford entered Drive-In Liquor with a bookbag and a gun pointed towards Mand. Both Mand and Bradford walked behind the sales counter, where Bradford began placing money and cigarettes into the bookbag. During this process, Bradford’s gun fired, and a bullet struck Mand in the arm. Bradford initially continued to put cigarettes in the bookbag, but then approached Mand and sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. Mand was then able to retreat to an office in the store and close the door. Bradford fled the scene soon afterward but dropped a knife in front of the store.

During the course of the investigation, the recovered knife was submitted for DNA analysis, which identified Bradford as the suspect.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse addressed the judge, “Even after the victim gets shot, [the defendant] chose to mace him in the face. It’s cruel. It’s unnecessary. [The defendant] is violent; he’s not playing around.”

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State v. Michael Maurice Ford, C-08-CR-18-000435

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on October 7, 2019, a Charles County jury, after a 6 day trial, convicted Michael Maurice Ford, 50, of the Grossly Negligent Manslaughter of infant Ethan Ruefly, Negligent Homicide by Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, and related charges.

Covington, commenting on the verdict, said, “I am disappointed – but not with the jury. The jury rendered a reasonable verdict, so I am fine with it. I am disappointed in the fact that this now convicted baby-killer is only facing 10 years — the maximum for killing someone while driving drunk— for this heinous crime. You can get 20 years for theft in Maryland but only 10 years for extinguishing a life — especially a 3-month-old child’s life. That simply isn’t right. It isn’t just. So, I’m disappointed in our lawmakers who refuse to fix this travesty by simply increasing the penalty for such crimes. I’m satisfied with the verdict but not the potential consequences for this terrible crime. The consequences are ridiculously light.”

On May 7, 2018, at approximately 3:48 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police responded to Southbound U.S. Route 301 at Pierce Road, Waldorf for the report of a serious multi-vehicle collision. Upon arrival, troopers observed a Freightliner with heavy front-end damage and a Jeep Wrangler with extreme rear end damage. Ford, the operator of the Freightliner, attempted to flee the scene of the incident prior to the arrival of the troopers; however, good Samaritans prevented him from leaving. Troopers also discovered 3-month-old Ruefly in a car seat by a tree next to U.S. Route 301. Ruefly, who appeared very pale and not breathing, was treated at the scene by EMS and then transported to Southern Maryland Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, Ruefly was flown to Children’s National Medical Center, where he later passed away.

At the scene of the incident, witnesses reported that Ford tried to hide beer cans that were in his vehicle. He also showed signs of impairment during Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. An intoximeter test was later conducted on Ford which revealed a .24 blood alcohol concentration level.

An investigation into the collision revealed that a Jeep Wrangler operated by Ruefly’s mother was coming to a stop behind a Nissan on Southbound Route 301 at Pierce Road prior to the collision. Ruefly was in his car seat in the backseat of the Jeep Wrangler, and his father was seated in the front passenger side. Ford, who was driving erratically behind the Jeep Wrangler, made no effort to stop his Freightliner and plowed into the Jeep Wrangler at a constant speed, causing it to strike the Nissan in front of it on the driver’s side. The Freightliner then struck the rear of the Nissan. Ruefly was taken out of the Jeep Wrangler to receive assistance.

Guilty

• Grossly Negligent Manslaughter with Vehicle
• Negligent Homicide by Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Negligent Homicide by Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se

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State v. Bernard Green, C-08-CR-18-000388

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, September 12, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Bernard Green to 25 years in prison for Home Invasion and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

On June 27, 2019, Green entered a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On September 3, 2017, officers responded to the 3500 block of Elsa Avenue in Waldorf for the report of a home invasion. Upon entrance to the residence, officers discovered two adult victims, one male and one female, confined in separate areas in the basement level of the home. The female victim’s hands and feet were bound with duct tape and plastic zip ties, while the male victim’s hands were handcuffed behind his back and feet were bound together with flex cuffs.

An investigation into the home invasion revealed that during the evening hours of September 3, 2017, three suspects knocked on the door of the victims’ residence. Each of the suspects wore jackets that read “US Marshals” and relayed that they were there for official business. Soon after the victims answered the door, the suspects forced the victims into the basement area of the residence, assaulting them both and bounding them. Young children were also present at the residence during the incident, but they were unharmed. Before fleeing the scene, the suspects stole marijuana, money, two handguns, and the male victim’s vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, Green, as well as co-defendants Dakevis Larry Maryland and Danzie Lee Barron were identified as the suspects who entered the home. Co-defendant Michael Damion Coffer was discovered to be a part of the home invasion by providing the victims as a target to Green; although, he was not present on the night in question and never entered the residence. A last suspect, co-defendant Jermel Andrico D’Aubrey Thomas was identified to have a limited role as a look out during the home invasion but abandoned the other co-defendants before they left the residence after committing the offense.

Based on the investigation, Green was identified as one of the organizers of the home invasion along with Coffer.

Co-Defendant Pleas and Sentencings

On November 26, 2018, Maryland entered a guilty plea to Home Invasion and was sentenced in December 2018 to 25 years with all but 12 years suspended in prison.

On January 9, 2019, Barron entered a guilty plea to Home Invasion and immediately afterwards was sentenced to 25 years with all but 10 years suspended in prison.

On November 15, 2018, Coffer entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion and was sentenced in December 2018 to 20 years with all but 10 years suspended in prison.

On October 16, 2018, Thomas entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Motor Vehicle Theft and was sentenced in July 2019 to 5 years with all but one day suspended in prison and 5 years of unsupervised probation.

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State v. Emanuel Malik Anthony Nugent, C-08-CR-18-000746
State v. Catrell Beshaun Yates, C-08-CR-18-000748

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Emanuel Malik Anthony Nugent, 22 of Waldorf, to 25 years with all but 18 years suspended to be served at the Division of Corrections for the First-Degree Assault of Timothy Dalton. After Nugent’s sentencing, Judge Bragunier sentenced co-defendant Catrell Beshaun Yates, 27 of Waldorf, to 25 years with all but 13 years suspended to be served at the Division of Corrections.

Both Nugent and Yates each previously tendered guilty pleas to First-Degree Assault in Charles County Circuit Court.

On August 30, 2018, officers responded to the 12800 block of Leman Lane in Waldorf for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers found victim Dalton suffering with critical injuries. Due to the serious nature of his injuries, Dalton was transported by helicopter to an area trauma center for treatment. At the hospital, it was discovered that the victim suffered a broken jaw, collapsed lung, as well as other extensive injuries. However, the victim survived the attack.

An investigation into the assault revealed that the victim was inside of his residence when Nugent contacted him and asked him to come outside. When the victim walked out, Nugent confronted him about money. The victim was then put into a vehicle and taken to Nugent’s residence, where co-defendant Yates was located. At the residence, the victim was brutally assaulted with a metal jack pole and a knife, as well as punched and kicked numerous times by Nugent and Yates. After the assault, the victim was placed back into a vehicle and was dumped off at an area close to his residence. Concerned citizens contacted the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and both police and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse indicated to the judge, “…the damage [to the victim] is unbelievable. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’ll never understand how people can victimize other people like this. The victim was beaten to within an inch of his life.” He furthered stated that the assault “is something that will affect the victim for the rest of his life.”

Both Nugent and Yates will be placed on supervised probation for 5 years upon their release from prison.

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State v. Deangelo Hemsley, K16-497

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, September 5, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Deangelo Hemsley, 42 of Waldorf, to life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of John Yates and related charges.

On June 14, 2019, Hemsley was found criminally responsible by a Charles County jury, after a two-part, bifurcated trial, to the charges of First-Degree Murder, Home Invasion, First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Kidnapping, and False Imprisonment. Hemsley was previously found guilty of committing the aforementioned charges during the first part of the trial.

On April 23, 2016, officers responded to the 12800 block of Yates Place in La Plata for the report of a person with a weapon. When officers arrived, they located victim John Yates suffering from several stab wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers also found Hemsley, Yates’ son-in-law, attempting to escape the area; however, he was apprehended that night.

An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of April 23rd, Hemsley made entry into Yates’ residence yielding a knife and bar. Yates’ family was present at the time and did not expect Hemsley’s arrival. After entrance, Hemsley demanded to know where his daughter, who was inside of the residence, was located. Hemsley then asked for the location of Yates, who was in a lower level. Within seconds of receiving Yates’ location from a family member, Hemsley went to Yates and immediately began attacking him with the knife, stabbing him multiple times and causing deep lacerations in the face and neck area. Hemsley’s then 12 year-old-daughter and a 15-year-old juvenile were present during parts of the attack.

After stabbing Yates, Hemsley grabbed his daughter’s hand and put her in his vehicle. Thankfully, she was able to escape through a window and run to safety back inside of the residence, barricading herself in a room with a dresser.

A DNA analysis conducted on the knife used in the assault revealed that it contained both Hemsley’s and Yates’ DNA. Hemsley also had Yates’ blood on his clothing while being apprehended.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman told the Court that Hemsley “decided to take a man’s life in the most heinous, vicious nature that I’ve seen in my 16 years [as a prosecutor].” She furthered, “the defendant acted out of anger and violence that day towards the victim because he believed the victim was the reason he could not see his daughter. – It is the State’s recommendation to sentence the defendant for his actions. In this case, the jury has spoken that [the defendant’s] diagnosis of schizophrenia did not play a factor in the murder of Mr. Yates, and the State is asking the Court to sentence the defendant to life.”

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State v. Armando Quispe Rodriguez, C-08-CR-18-000289

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Armando Quispe Rodriguez, 46 of Bryans Road, to life suspend all but 30 years for the Attempted First-Degree Murder of Keyia Rodriguez. After completion of his sentence, Rodriguez will be placed on supervised probation for a period of 5 years.

On March 23, 2018, officers responded to a residence in the 2500 block of Archway Lane in Bryans Road for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers made contact with defendant Rodriguez in front of the residence where they observed several lacerations on both of his hands. During a search of the residence, officers discovered the victim, who was incoherent and bound to the basement stairs, suffering from several stab wounds to her upper body. The victim had a pool of blood around her, and the walls of the basement were also covered with blood. Officers located handcuffs near the victim as well. Due to the grave nature of her injuries, the victim was transported to an area trauma center for treatment. Fortunately, she survived.

An investigation revealed that during the morning hours of March 23rd, Rodriguez began hitting and stabbing the victim as she slept. A struggle ensued as the victim tried to escape. Her attempts were unsuccessful. Rodriguez then handcuffed the victim to a railing in the basement and bound the victim’s ankles. Rodriguez continuously assaulted and threatened the victim over an extended period. In addition to hitting the victim and stabbing her, Rodriguez put a plastic bag over her face and a belt around her neck in order to suffocate her. He eventually called 911 and unlocked the handcuffs but kept the victim’s ankles bound.

During the horrific ordeal, the victim was stabbed 22 times.

Rodriguez told officers that it was a domestic situation and admitted that he was responsible for the victim’s injuries. He also told officers where the knife used to stab the victim could be located.

Prior to his incarceration, Rodriguez was a Prince George’s County correctional officer.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman addressed the judge, “We know that this is not the first time that the defendant’s anger had gotten to him. Anger has been in his history, though unreported.” She furthered, “No person – no woman – should be left for dead on a railing due to marital issues. [The defendant’s] anger almost killed the victim – his wife and the mother of his children. The State is asking for justice to be served in this case.”

Before sentencing the defendant, Judge Bragunier told him, “You were violent with the [victim] in the past. The children were afraid of you. You say you are not a murderer, but that’s only by the grace of God because on that day, that’s what you intended to do.”

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State v. Claude William Brown, Jr., C-08-CR-19-000158

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, August 8, 2019, Claude William Brown, Jr., 69 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Following his guilty plea, Judge Bragunier sentenced Brown to 10 years in prison.

On February 6, 2019, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office made contact with one of the juvenile victims at her residence. The victim (Victim 1), a relative of Brown, reported being touched several times by Brown under her clothing and between her legs, with the most recent incident happening earlier that month in a bathroom at Brown’s residence. Victim 1 was seven years old at the time of the latest assault.

Officers learned of a second juvenile victim (Victim 2), also a family member of Brown, that reported being inappropriately touched on her private area by Brown once, prior to Victim 1’s assault. Victim 2 was under ten years old at the time that Brown assaulted her.

During the investigation, an adult relative reported being inappropriately touched by Brown, prompting her to tell another family member, who then talked to both juvenile victims and became knowledgeable of the assaults.

Brown turned himself in on February 6, 2019 and admitted to assaulting both juveniles.

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State v. Marquis Deangelo Swann, C-08-CR-18-000578

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, July 29, 2019, Marquis Deangelo Swann, 25 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to three counts of First-Degree Assault. Swann also admitted to a violation of probation for a prior conviction.

On July 7, 2018, officers responded to an apartment complex located in the 12100 block of Ell Lane in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found victims Dominique Yates and Jamar Campbell suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to PG Shock Trauma for their injuries. While on scene, officers also discovered that another victim, Darius Newman, was shot and injured; however, he left prior to their arrival. All three victims, fortunately, survived.

An investigation revealed that the victims were at a breezeway outside of the apartment complex before the shooting occurred. Two suspects, later determined to be Swann and co-defendant David Nicholas Butler-Charles, arrived at the location in a four-door 2006 Chevrolet Impala. Swann exited the vehicle with a gun and repeatedly fired his weapon towards the victims. He then re-entered the vehicle operated by Butler-Charles, and both men fled the area.

Surveillance footage at the apartment complex captured the incident, as well as the tag number of the Chevrolet Impala, leading officers to Butler-Charles. Swann was later developed as a suspect, which was corroborated by witness identification, as well as other evidence.

On June 28, 2019, co-defendant Butler-Charles entered a guilty plea to three counts of First-Degree Assault and Possession of a Regulated Firearm with a Prior Disqualifying Conviction. A sentencing date for Butler-Charles has been scheduled for July 31, 2019.

A sentencing date for Swann has been scheduled for October 9, 2019.

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State v. Damarco Rashord Hall, C-08-CR-18-000894

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Damarco Rashord Hall, 21 of Waldorf, to 18 years suspend all but 8 years for First-Degree Assault and Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun.

Hall previously entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges on May 31, 2019 in Charles County Circuit Court.

On August 15, 2018, officers responded to Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Waldorf to meet with a victim of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers made contact with victim Omar Catoe, who reported that an unknown suspect, later identified as Hall, shot at his vehicle multiple times on Slater Drive in Waldorf. Alexis Coates was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Catoe was operating a rental vehicle with Coates as his passenger. Catoe was dropping off Coates at a residence on Slater Drive when Hall approached the vehicle and attempted to open the front passenger door. In fear, Catoe accelerated the vehicle in reverse and began fleeing to the area of Poplar Hill Road. As Catoe was fleeing, Hall produced a gun and shot towards the vehicle at least twice, striking it once. Catoe was able to drop off Coates at a residence on Poplar Hill Road, then meet with officers at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. Fortunately, no one was injured during the shooting.

Hall, who was previously in a relationship with Coates, was developed as a suspect during the course of the investigation and admitted to the shooting, stating that he and Coates were on bad terms during the time of the incident.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen told the judge that the victim was “really affected” by the incident. She furthered that the offense was “very serious. This could’ve gone very differently had the victims been struck.”

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