Press Releases

State v. Keishon Javontae Thompson, C-08-CR-21-000034

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, March 24, 2023, a Charles County jury, after a 5-day trial, and 3 hours of deliberation, convicted Keishon Javontae Thompson, 20, of the First-Degree Murder of J’Shaun Wallace, 19, as well as related weapon charges.

On December 6, 2020, officers responded to the 2900 block of Business Park Drive in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located victim J’Shaun Wallace with a gunshot wound to the chest. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident.

A review of Wallace’s cell phone, which was found at the scene of the crime, revealed text message exchanges between Thompson and Wallace indicating that the two had previously arranged for Thompson to purchase shoes from Wallace.

On the day of the killing, Wallace and a friend arrived in front of a business located in the 2900 block of Business Park Drive at approximately 8:04 p.m. When Thompson arrived minutes later, he lured Wallace to the back of the building. Surveillance footage captured Wallace handing shoe insoles to Thompson. Shortly thereafter, Thompson is seen on the video producing a handgun from the waistband of his pants. Thompson then shot Wallace once, striking him in the chest. Thompson appeared to make another attempt to shoot Wallace but was unsuccessful.

Wallace’s friend, who remained in his car to wait for Wallace, heard the gunshot, got out of his car, and found Wallace collapsed on the ground. He then called 911. Thompson fled the area before police officers arrived.  

During the investigation, a search and seizure warrant was conducted at Thompson’s residence. Clothing was found that was consistent with what the suspect was wearing on the surveillance video. When arrested for this crime, Thompson made admissions of guilt to detectives investigating the incident.

A sentencing date has been set for May 15, 2023.

Guilty

• First-Degree Murder
• Use of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime of Violence
• Possession of a Regulated Firearm Being Under 21
• Loaded Handgun on Person
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun Upon Their Person

State v. Daylin Roy Davis, C-08-CR-22-000182

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, February 23, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Daylin Roy Davis, 28, of Waldorf, to 50 years in prison, with all but 30 years suspended, for two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Sexual Offense in the Third Degree.

The Court’s sentence included 5 years of supervised probation after the completion of his initial 30-year sentence.  If he violates the terms of that probation, Davis faces going back to prison for the 20 years that the Court suspended.  Davis must also register as a sexual offender for the rest of his life.

On November 30, 2022, Davis entered a guilty plea to the above listed charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On March 11, 2022, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were notified of a possible solicitation of a minor after inappropriate communications were discovered between Victim 1 and Davis on Victim 1’s cell phone. A review of the exchanges showed that Davis made repeated demands for sexual contact with the 15-year-old victim. When officers spoke with Victim 1, she reported being aware of Davis having sexual relations with other students at the school.

An investigation revealed that Davis was working as an instructional assistant at Westlake High School in Waldorf, where Victim 1 was a student. From September 24, 2021 through March 8, 2022, Davis and Victim 1 met numerous times in an empty classroom during school hours. Davis left the door of the classroom unlocked for the victim and would ask her to lock it when she entered. To avoid detection by other students and teachers, Davis offered the victim class passes. He also offered the victim marijuana and vape pens containing marijuana during these encounters. On at least one occasion, the victim told Davis that she was uncomfortable with meeting him in this manner and was afraid he would rape her; however, Davis continued to insist that they meet in the classroom and asked the victim to give him a “hickey.”

A second victim was discovered after the victim’s mother found inappropriate text message exchanges in Victim 2’s cell phone. Officers met with the 14-year-old victim, who reported that Davis was her substitute teacher on one occasion in January 2022. Like Victim 1, Davis would also meet Victim 2 in an empty classroom. On two occasions in February 2022, Davis engaged in vaginal intercourse with Victim 2 in the classroom. They would also engage in other sexual activities on numerous occasions, including kissing.

Davis was terminated from Westlake High School on March 15, 2022.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse asked the Court to give Davis a 50-year prison sentence in order to protect the community, citing that Davis was in a position of trust when he groomed and then exploited his victims.  Mr. Stackhouse also noted that when parents send their children to school, they rightfully expect them to be in a safe and nourishing environment and not have to encounter a sexual predator.

Sentence

• Count 1: Sexual Abuse of a Minor (Victim 2)
  • 25 Years in Prison
• Count 5: Sexual Offense in the Third Degree (Victim 2)
  • 10 Years in Prison
  • Concurrent to Count 1
• Count 7: Sexual Abuse of a Minor (Victim 1)
  • 25 Years in Prison, with all but 5 years suspended
  • Consecutive to Count 1

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State v. Richard Eugene Middleton, Jr., C-08-CR-20-000341

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Richard Eugene Middleton, Jr., 39, to Life Without Parole plus 125 years in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Kwasi Louard-Clarke, the Attempted First-Degree Murder of Montreal Wade and Tyrone Coleman, Home Invasion, and related charges.

On June 13, 2022, a Charles County jury convicted Middleton of the above-mentioned charges.

On June 15, 2020, officers responded to the 2400 block of Shawnee Lane in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found victim Kwasi Louard-Clarke deceased from numerous gunshot wounds. A short distance away, two other victims, Montreal Wade and Tyrone Coleman, were also found suffering from gunshot wounds. Wade and Coleman were transported to area trauma centers for treatment of life-threatening injuries; fortunately, they both survived.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Middleton and Louard-Clarke got into an altercation at a barber shop where Middleton worked. After the altercation, Louard-Clarke left the barber shop and arrived at his residence in the 11700 block of Lancelot Drive in Waldorf. Louard-Clarke’s parents also lived at that location and were present inside of the residence. Coleman and Wade arrived shortly after Louard-Clarke to hang out and get a haircut. Middleton, armed with a gun, received a ride to Louard-Clarke’s neighborhood and was dropped off near his home. Middleton proceeded to walk to Louard-Clarke’s residence and began shooting at the men, who were standing outside.

Coleman was shot in the arm and stomach while running away. Wade, who also attempted to run away, was shot in the back twice. Both men were able to escape the area in a vehicle operated by Wade.

Louard-Clarke was shot in the leg while fleeing to a neighboring residence to get help. Middleton unlawfully entered the residence where Louard-Clarke fled, where children were also present, and pointed a gun at the owner of the residence. Louard-Clarke then exited the residence, followed by Middleton. Louard-Clarke pled for his life to Middleton but was shot multiple times, including at close range to the head. Middleton fled the area after the shooting but was apprehended by police the same day.

During the course of the investigation, multiple witnesses reported the events that occurred, and Middleton confessed to police officers. Police also obtained surveillance footage of the beginning of the shooting.

Unfortunately, both of Louard-Clarke’s parents witnessed the initial shooting, and his mother witnessed Louard-Clarke in his final resting place after the incident was over.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie told the judge, “This is amongst the most violent and heinous crimes that I think most of us have come across.” He further said, “Decisions have consequences. This was a considered, deliberate, and intentional decision to take someone’s life; it is the State’s estimation that [Middleton doesn’t] deserve to live free amongst society for the rest of [his] life.”

Speaking on Louard-Clarke’s parents witnessing the incident, Beattie said, “No parent expects to bury their child. [In this case,] the last memory of your child is him being violently killed.”

Sentence

• First-Degree Murder
  • Life Without Parole
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 20 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Attempted First-Degree Murder of Wade
  • 50 Years, Consecutive to Previous Counts
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 20 Years, Concurrent to Count 5
• Attempted First-Degree Murder of Coleman
  • 50 Years, Consecutive to Previous Counts
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 20 Years, Concurrent to Count 9
• Home Invasion
  • 25 Years, Consecutive to Previous Counts
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 20 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• First-Degree Assault
  • 15 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 10 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Loaded Handgun on Person
  • 3 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of Handgun on Person
  • 3 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of Handgun in Vehicle
  • 3 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts
• Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm after Being Convicted of Disqualifying Crime
  • 5 Years, Concurrent to Previous Counts

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State v. Quanel Love Brown, C-08-CR-22-000237

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, October 27, 2022, Quanel Love Brown, 17, of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court to two counts of First-Degree Assault and one count of the Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun Upon Their Person. Immediately after the plea, he was sentenced by the Honorable Judge William R. Greer, Jr. to 53 years, with all but 15 years suspended in prison. Upon release, Brown will be on supervised probation for a period of five years.

On March 23, 2022, officers responded to Continental Drive and Sandestin Place in White Plains for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 17-year-old victim suffering with a gunshot wound to his left wrist and a contusion on his head. They also located his brother, who had a contusion on his head also.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, the victims set up a meeting with a co-defendant of Brown to purchase marijuana. Three co-defendants, as well as Brown, then arrived to meet the victims. The victims reported to the officers that during the sale, Brown and his co-defendants attempted to rob them. Surveillance video of the incident showed that a fight ensued between the victims, Brown, and two of his co-defendants. During the fight, Brown pistol-whipped both victims. He also pointed a gun at one of the victims and fired one shot, striking him. The other victim attempted to run away. While the victim was attempting to flee, Brown shot twice toward him. Brown and his co-defendants then fled the area.

Further surveillance footage showed that Brown was an occupant of the vehicle that fled the area and his clothing matched that of the suspect who had the gun.

Brown was apprehended on April 21, 2022 and was found in possession of a firearm that matched the firearm used during the incident.

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State v. Arron William Saunders, C-08-CR-21-000288

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Arron William Saunders, 25, to 30 years, with all but 15 years suspended in prison for Armed Robbery, Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and related charges. Upon release, Saunders will be on supervised probation for a period of five years.

On November 5, 2020, officers responded to a parking lot located in the 11800 block of Oak Manor Drive in Waldorf for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victims, who reported that they were robbed by a suspect who had short dreads and was wearing a dark hoodie, jeans, and face mask.

An investigation revealed that three victims were located inside of the vehicle prior to the armed robbery. One of the victims left his friend’s car to retrieve his Apple Air Pods that were located inside of his residence, which was a short distance away. While retrieving the Apple Air Pods, he observed the mother of his child arrive in a dark colored passenger car to drop off their son. He also observed an unidentified male in the car with her, later determined to be Saunders.

Shortly after the victim returned to his friend’s car, Saunders opened the driver’s side door and brandished a handgun, demanding the occupants give him everything that was in their pockets. During the course of the robbery, one of the victims gave Saunders resistance. Saunders threatened that he would kill the occupants of the car, then fired a bullet into the air. After taking the victims’ possessions, the suspect fired more shots toward the occupied car, striking it. He then fled in the direction of the dark colored passenger car.  

During the investigation, officers observed surveillance footage of Saunders that matched the description given by the victims.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Gerst asked for a 45-year sentence, noting Saunders’ prior offenses, and stating, “not only was this a robbery, but shots were fired.”

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LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, a Charles County jury, after an 8-day trial and less than a day of deliberation, convicted Mikayle Tahed Qawwee, 21, of Waldorf, of the First-Degree Murder and Armed Robbery of Bradley Brown, as well as related charges.

On February 18, 2020, officers responded to the 3100 block of Warehouse Landing Road in Bryans Road for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, Bradley Brown, with gunshot wounds to his chest and leg. Unfortunately, the 17-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation revealed that Qawwee and co-defendant Darryl Edward Freeman planned to rob Brown prior to the shooting. On the day of the incident, Freeman reached out to Brown under the guise of purchasing THC vape cartridges. Freeman, Qawwee, and another individual later arrived at Brown’s residence and announced a robbery.

Brown was shot and killed during the robbery of the THC vape cartridges, which were worth approximately $850. Qawwee, Freeman, and the other individual fled the area in Freeman’s vehicle immediately after the shooting.

Qawwee was in possession of the THC vape cartridges and tried to sell them after the armed robbery and murder. However, he gave them to a friend after Freeman was arrested.

Freeman was convicted of First-Degree Murder and related charges on May 6, 2021. He was sentenced to Life in prison on August 31, 2021.

A sentencing date has been set for Qawwee on November 22, 2022. He faces Life plus 48 years in prison.

Guilty

• First-Degree Murder
• 3 counts of Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
• First-Degree Assault
• Armed Robbery
• Robbery
• Theft: $100 to under $1500
• Possession of a Regulated Firearm Under the Age of 21
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun
• Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Assault
• Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
• Conspiracy to Commit Theft: $100 to under $1500

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State v. Clyde William Peterson, C-08-CR-21-000612

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, September 2, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Clyde William Peterson, 52, to 10 years in prison for First-Degree Assault.

On July 1, 2022, Peterson entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charge.

On July 13, 2021, officers responded to a residence located in the 6900 block of Surrey Place in Bryans Road for the report of an assault with a weapon. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victim Delonte Brown, who reported that he was assaulted by a suspect wearing a ballistic vest that said “Police” across the front of it.

An investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, two suspects pulled up to the residence in a vehicle with tinted windows. The passenger of the vehicle, later determined to be Peterson, got out of the vehicle, and approached Brown with a handgun that had an extended magazine. Peterson pointed the gun at Brown and told him to get on the ground. Brown tried to flee but was followed by Peterson. Peterson confronted Brown again, as well as his mother; however, Brown was able to flee a second time. Peterson found Brown and forced him to lay on the ground. Peterson then went into Brown’s vehicle and stole a Louis Vuitton side bag. After retrieving the bag, Peterson ran back to the vehicle and fled the scene.

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State v. Marc Carlyle McLaughlin, Jr., C-08-CR-20-000517

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, August 15, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Marc Carlyle McLaughlin, Jr., 33, to Life in Prison plus 30 years for the First-Degree Felony Murder of Kenneth Brawner, Attempted Armed Robbery, and related charges.

On May 11, 2022, a Charles County jury convicted McLaughlin of the aforementioned charges.

On September 21, 2020, officers responded to the Master Suites Hotel located in the 2200 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located victim Kenneth Brawner in one of the hotel rooms, suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. Brawner was transported to Prince George’s County Hospital Center for treatment; however, he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, McLaughlin conspired with co-defendant Terrence Wills to rob the occupants of Brawner’s hotel room. McLaughlin knocked on the door of Brawner’s room, gained entry, and brandished a gun. Witnesses stated that McLaughlin demanded money from Brawner and then shot him. McLaughlin left the scene after the shooting and discarded the sweatshirt that he was wearing in an attempt to evade capture.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Kathryn A. Marsh asked for the maximum sentence, stating, “we are here because of the actions of the defendant. He has a long history of taking what he wants without regard to the consequences. The defendant’s history shows he is not willing to comply with the law.”

Before sentencing McLaughlin, Judge Greer, noting that Brawner was living in the hotel room where he was murdered, stated “people have the right to feel safe in their residence, whether permanent or temporary – that right was violated in the most egregious manner.”

Sentence

• Count 1
  • First-Degree Felony Murder 
  • Life
• Count 2
  • Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 20 Years, Concurrent
• Count 9
  • Attempted Armed Robbery
  • 15 Years, Consecutive
• Count 10
  • Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 15 Years, Concurrent
• Count 21
  • First-Degree Assault
  • 15 Years, Consecutive
• Count 22
  • Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 15 Years, Concurrent
• Count 27
  • Firearm Possession with Previous Felony Conviction
  • 10 Years, Concurrent
• Count 28
  • Wear, Carry, and Transport a Handgun Upon their Person
  • 3 Years, Concurrent
• Count 30
  • Conspiracy Armed Robbery
  • 20 years concurrent
• Count 33
  • Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery
  • 15 Years, Concurrent
• Count 38
  • Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Assault
  • 15 Years, Concurrent
• Count 39
  • Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion
  • 20 years Concurrent

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State v. Clarence Henry Henderson, C-08-CR-21-000047

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, August 12, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Clarence Henry Henderson, 30, of Waldorf, to 10 years in prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Upon release, Henderson will be on supervised probation for five years and must register on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

On June 3, 2022, Henderson entered a guilty plea to the above listed charge.

On November 22, 2019, officers at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were made aware of statements made by the 15-year-old victim to a school counselor regarding the sexual abuse. An investigation revealed that over a two-year span, the victim was sexually assaulted by Henderson numerous times in various locations, including at least one incident at a relative’s house located in the 12000 block of Holm Oak in Waldorf, MD.

Sentence

Count 1

• Sexual Abuse of a Minor
• 25 years with all but 10 years suspended

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