Press Releases

State v. James Stephen Gass, Jr.

C-08-CR-23-000446 & C-08-CR-22-000462

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, March 22, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Monise A. Brown sentenced James Stephen Gass, Jr., 32, of Leonardtown, to a total of 14 years in prison for two separate cases. Gass was sentenced to 9 years for First-Degree Assault against four juveniles and the Unlawful Use of a Firearm During the Commission of that First-Degree Assault. In a separate case, he was sentenced to an additional 5 years for possessing a firearm illegally due to a prior felony conviction. Upon release, Gass will be on supervised probation for five years.

On December 1, 2023, Gass entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On June 6, 2023, officers made contact with a juvenile victim who reported that he and three other juvenile victims were threatened by a driver operating a white Ford Crown Victoria. An investigation revealed that the four juveniles were riding their bikes in the area of Chicamuxen Road and Mason Springs Road when Gass pointed a long gun at them and threatened to harm them while using racial epithets.

During the investigation, an officer discovered Gass’ vehicle parked in the Dollar General located on Bicknell Road. When the officer attempted to make contact, Gass entered his vehicle and fled from multiple officers, causing a high-speed chase.

During the incident, Gass was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

C-08-CR-22-000462

• Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction
  • 5 years in prison

C-08-CR-23-000446

• Count 1: First-Degree Assault
  • 20 years with all but 9 years suspended
  • Consecutive to sentence in C-08-CR-22-000462
• Count 2: Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony or Crime of Violence
  • 20 years suspend all but 9 years in prison
  • Concurrent with Count 1
  • 5 years of supervised probation

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State v. Janae Elizabeth Bishop, C-08-CR-22-000106

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, March 7, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Janae Elizabeth Bishop, 32, of Waldorf, to 30 years in prison with all but 10 years suspended for two counts of Second-Degree Child Abuse. 

On August 30, 2023, Bishop entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On February 21, 2022, Bishop’s fiancé reported to officers that he witnessed and recorded Bishop assault the children, ages 5 and 3 years old at the time of the incident, in their apartment located in Waldorf.

An investigation revealed that during the morning hours of February 17, 2022, Bishop’s fiancé got the 5-year-old victim ready for school while Bishop was sleep in her bed. The fiancé attempted to wake Bishop to take the victim to school, however, she refused to take him. She began to make harmful statements and threatened to kill both victims.

Bishop got up from bed and brought the victims to the bathroom, where she filled up the bathtub. Bishop then unclothed the victims and put them into the bathtub, where she put their heads down under the water multiple times. She then proceeded to take the victims out of the bathtub and brought them outside in the cold while they were wet and without clothing. After putting them outside, she locked the door to enter the apartment.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse told the judge, “When something like this happens in the community, there’s got to be a strong reaction. This really impacts the whole community, but mostly impacts these two boys.” He furthered, “Parents get angry. Parents discipline their kids, but this is a whole other level. There are lines that you should never cross, and she crossed those lines.”

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State v. Tyliek Anthony Spence, C-08-CR-21-000298

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, March 7, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Tyliek Anthony Spence, 22, of Waldorf, to Life in prison with all but 8 years suspended for First-Degree Murder. Upon release, Spence will be on supervised probation for five years.

On November 16, 2022, Spence entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charge.

On November 3, 2020, officers responded to an apartment building located in Amber Leaf Place for the report of a subject being shot. Upon arrival, officers located a seventeen-year-old victim suffering from several gunshot wounds to his lower body. The victim was transported by helicopter to Washington Hospital Center, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Witnesses at the scene of the incident reported seeing an altercation between the victim and suspects in a bright blue passenger car, ultimately resulting in gunshots. The suspect who shot the victim, later identified as co-defendant Anthony Edward Small, was observed entering the front passenger seat of the car before fleeing the area. After the incident, Spence spoke to investigators and reported that he was the driver of the fleeing car. Spence told investigators that he arranged to purchase marijuana from the victim prior to the shooting. Soon after Spence and Small arrived, there was a robbery of the victim, followed by the victim getting shot by Small.

During the course of the investigation, investigators were able to recover a fingerprint on the passenger side of Spence’s car, which was found to be left by Small. Additionally, Small’s phone records placed him in the area during the time of the incident. He was also seen in photographs wearing clothing that matched Spence’s description.

An examination of Small’s phone was conducted. Photographs were observed of Small and the victim’s handgun covered with blood. In a text exchange, Small confesses to his girlfriend about the murder. 

During sentencing, the Honorable Judge Carrington Martin told Spence that the victim “may have been into drugs, but he was only 17 years old, and you already outlived him.”

On February 16, 2024, co-defendant Small was sentenced to Life in prison with all but 50 years suspended by the Honorable Judge H. James West.

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State v. Malcolm Fluellyn, C-08-CR-23-000264

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, February 26, 2024, Malcolm Fluellyn, 27, of Bryans Road, entered a guilty plea to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and six counts of Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense.

On February 10, 2023, a school resource officer at General Smallwood Middle School contacted the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to report a possible sexual assault between Fluellyn and multiple students.

An investigation revealed that Fluellyn was working as a permanent substitute teacher at General Smallwood Middle School from December 2022 through February 2023. Fluellyn inappropriately touched the victims, some on numerous occasions, at the school while he worked there. Additionally, Fluellyn reached out to some of the victims on Instagram and made inappropriate sexual comments about their bodies.  

The eight victims ranged in age between 12 and 13 years old. Fluellyn was immediately fired from the school when school officials learned of the assaults.

A sentencing date has been set for April 15, 2024. Fluellyn faces 50 years in prison.

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LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Deon Watkins, 52, to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of Kandeon Niravanh and Genesis Garrett, as well as related charges.

On August 30, 2023, a Charles County jury convicted Watkins of the aforementioned charges.

Before 1:00 a.m. on January 21, 2021, officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf for a report of a residence with an open door. Several neighbors also reported hearing gunshots around 12:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found the front door of a residence was open. They then discovered Kandeon Niravanh and Genesis Garrett deceased with apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body inside of the residence.

An investigation into the murders revealed that Watkins and Niravanh were involved in selling marijuana. Watkins was the supplier for the marijuana that Niravanh sold. Prior to the incident, an argument occurred between Watkins and Niravanh via text message about a debt that Niravanh owed Watkins, as well as Watkins’ belief that Niravanh was attempting to contact his drug supplier directly. The exchange included voice-to-text messages of Watkins threatening violence against Niravanh.

The investigation also revealed that Watkins operated a gray 2012 Honda Accord passenger car. Based on phone records, video surveillance and tag reader information, Watkins drove this vehicle to the residence of Niravanh, who also lived with Garrett, and committed the murders of both victims. Following the murders, a vehicle that matched the description of Watkins’ vehicle was observed on video surveillance leaving the scene.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie called the incident a “rage killing” and asked for the maximum sentence under law. He furthered, “the callous disregard for human life is appalling” and that Watkins’ actions were “heinous, angry, and vengeful.”

Before sentencing Watkins, the honorable Judge H. James West stated that the incident “was an execution with no purpose other than to say, ‘I was crossed on a business level or I was disrespected.’ This shouldn’t be tolerated in any community.”

Guilty

• Count 1 – First Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
  • Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole
• Count 2 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
  • 20 Years in Prison, Concurrent with Count 1
• Count 3 – First Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
  • Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole, Consecutive to Counts 1 and 2
• Count 4 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
  • 20 Years in Prison, Concurrent to Count 3
• Count 5 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence
  • 15 Years in Prison, Concurrent with Count 3

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State v. Anthony Edward Small, C-08-CR-21-000290

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, February 16, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Anthony Edward Small, 24, to Life in prison with all but 50 years suspended for First-Degree Murder and the Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

On December 11, 2023, Small entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On November 3, 2020, officers responded to an apartment building located in Amberleaf Place for the report of a subject being shot. Upon arrival, officers located a seventeen-year-old victim suffering from several gunshot wounds to his lower body. The victim was transported by helicopter to Washington Hospital Center, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Witnesses at the scene of the incident reported seeing an altercation between the victim and suspects in a bright blue passenger car, ultimately resulting in gunshots. The suspect who shot the victim was observed entering the front passenger seat of the car before fleeing the area. After the incident, Small’s co-defendant, Tyliek Anthony Spence, spoke to investigators and reported that he was the driver of the fleeing car. Spence told investigators that he arranged to purchase marijuana from the victim prior to the shooting. Soon after Spence and Small arrived, there was an attempted robbery of the victim, followed by the victim getting shot. Spence also described the clothing that the shooter wore during the incident.

During the course of the investigation, investigators were able to recover a fingerprint on the passenger side of Spence’s car, which was found to be left by Small. Additionally, Small’s phone records placed him in the area during the time of the incident. He was also seen in photographs wearing clothing that matched Spence’s description.

An examination of Small’s phone was conducted. Photographs were observed of Small and the victim’s handgun covered with blood. In a text exchange, Small confesses to his girlfriend about the murder. 

Before sentencing Small, Judge West stated that the victim “was just a child. He never really had a chance to better himself for the long run. We’ll never get to see the victim mature.” He furthered that the incident was “the most loss that you could inflict upon [the victim’s mother] for really no reason at all” and that it was a “tremendous amount of harm to bring to someone’s family for no real reason.”

On September 15, 2022, co-defendant Spence entered a guilty plea to First-Degree Felony Murder. His sentencing date has been set for March 7, 2024.

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State v. Brandon Kiah Slade, C-08-CR-20-000543

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, December 7, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Brandon Kiah Slade, 29, to Life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Lenora Coates-Slade and the Wear and Carry of a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Injure.

Slade was found guilty of the above-mentioned charges on October 2, 2023, after a 3-day bench trial.
On October 15, 2020, officers responded to a residence located in Indian Head for the report of unknown trouble. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Lenora Coates-Slade, Brandon Slade’s mother, with multiple stab wounds to her body and a plastic bag wrapped around her head in her garage. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to her injuries.

Officers made contact with a member of the victim’s family, who also lived at the residence. The family member, who was not present at the time of the assault, reported to officers that she became worried when she was not able to get in touch with the victim. After calling the victim’s phone, the family member immediately received a phone call from Slade advising her that the victim was asleep. The family member asked two people to do a welfare check on the victim, then called the police.

The family member was able to show officers footage of part of the incident that was captured by the surveillance system on the front porch of the residence. In the video, the suspect, identified by the family member as Brandon Slade, is seen forcefully holding the victim as she tried to break free from him. Blood can be seen on the victim’s shirt during the struggle. Slade is seen strangling the victim into what appeared to be unconsciousness. The victim was then dragged inside of the residence. Moments later, Slade reappeared to wash the victim’s blood off the front porch steps.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Slade did not live at the residence with his mother; however, he spent the night at the residence on October 14, 2020, and had breakfast with the victim during the morning hours of October 15, 2020. The two became engaged in an argument during breakfast and Slade began to assault the victim in the kitchen. The victim was able to escape outside and began to scream, but Slade followed her and strangled her. He ultimately brought her to the home’s garage.

Another family member of the victim reported that the victim was previously assaulted by Slade in Prince George’s County at an earlier date.

The Assistant State’s Attorney for the case told the judge during sentencing, “Senseless doesn’t even begin to describe this. The conduct that the defendant engaged in is forever etched in our memory.” She furthered, “The defendant accepts no responsibility or shows no remorse. As you heard today, the family that you heard from, over and over and over asking the defendant to get help.”

Before sentencing Slade to Life in prison, Judge West told Slade that the incident was a “brutal, mean-spirited, nasty murder.” He continued, “The victim was looking out for you and trusted you – pretty close to defenseless when this was happening.”

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The State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) is back for its third year of its “Drive Sober” initiative, which aims to bring awareness to the grave dangers of driving impaired, as well as help the public take preventative measures. The “Drive Sober” initiative will run during the holiday season – November 20, 2023, through January 1, 2024 – which is one of the deadliest times on the roadways due to drunk driving.

In prior years, the SAO distributed Uber gift cards to the community. This year, the SAO remains committed to offering the community safe rides home through rideshare; however, the SAO is making it easier for community members to participate. On Wednesday, November 22, 2023 (Thanksgiving Eve) from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday, November 23, 2023, drivers 21+ years of age can download the Uber app and use the SAO’s code for up to $15 off a ride in Charles County to prevent impaired driving. The code will be released on our official Drive Sober webpage (www.ccsao.us/DriveSober) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Limited quantities are available.

The SAO will continue to distribute rideshare gift cards throughout the duration of the initiative and has partnered with Colonial Liquors of La Plata, Maryland to be a pickup location for Uber gift cards, while supplies last. Exclusions will apply.

In addition to the free Uber rides, the SAO will distribute nonalcoholic drink vouchers to designated drivers and over 300 keychain breathalyzers.

The SAO will also redisplay two powerful billboards to remind motorists of the grave dangers of driving impaired. The first billboard features victim Ethan Ruefly, a 3-month-old infant killed by a drunk driver in Charles County. The second billboard features Taylor Halbleib (21 years old), Autumn Jenkins (20 years old), and Destanee Lyles (18 years old) – all victims of impaired drivers. Their stories can be viewed on the SAO website, www.ccsao.us/DriveSober.

Citizens of Charles County will be able to pick up preventative measures including keychain breathalyzers on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the “Shop La Plata” event in the Town of La Plata for Small Business Saturday.

Further information on the effects of impaired driving and the “Drive Sober” initiative can be found on the SAO’s website, www.ccsao.us/DriveSober.

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State v. Brandon Kiah Slade, C-08-CR-20-000543

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, October 2, 2023, after a 6-day bench trial, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West convicted Brandon Kiah Slade, 29, of the First-Degree Murder of Lenora Coates-Slade, First-Degree Assault, and related charges.

On October 15, 2020, officers responded to a residence located in Indian Head for the report of unknown trouble. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Lenora Coates-Slade, Brandon Slade’s mother, with multiple stab wounds to her body and a plastic bag wrapped around her head in her garage. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to her injuries.
Officers made contact with a member of the victim’s family, who also lived at the residence. The family member, who was not present at the time of the assault, reported to officers that she became worried when she was not able to get in touch with the victim. After calling the victim’s phone, the family member immediately received a phone call from Slade advising her that the victim was asleep. The family member asked two people to do a welfare check on the victim, then called the police.

The family member was able to show officers footage of part of the incident that was captured by the surveillance system on the front porch of the residence. In the video, the suspect, identified by the family member as Brandon Slade, is seen forcefully holding the victim as she tried to break free from him. Blood can be seen on the victim’s shirt during the struggle. Slade is seen strangling the victim into what appeared to be unconsciousness. The victim was then dragged inside of the residence. Moments later, Slade reappeared to wash the victim’s blood off the front porch steps.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Slade did not live at the residence with his mother; however, he spent the night at the residence on October 14, 2020, and had breakfast with the victim during the morning hours of October 15, 2020. The two became engaged in an argument during breakfast and Slade began to assault the victim in the kitchen.

The victim was able to escape outside and began to scream, but Slade followed her and strangled her. He ultimately brought her to the home’s garage.

Another family member of the victim reported that the victim was previously assaulted by Slade in Prince George’s County at an earlier date.

A sentencing date has been set for Slade on December 7, 2023. Slade faces Life in prison.
 
Guilty
• First-Degree Murder
• First-Degree Assault
• Second-Degree Assault
• Wear and Carry Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Injure

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State v. Jose Eugenio Escobar-Argueta, C-08-CR-22-000416

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Jose Eugenio Escobar-Argueta, 34, of Waldorf, to 10 years in prison for Sexual Solicitation of a Minor, Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense, and Fourth-Degree Attempted Sexual Offense. Upon release, Escobar-Argueta will be on supervised probation for 5 years.

On July 26, 2023, a Charles County jury convicted Escobar-Argueta of the above listed charges.

On January 30, 2022, an officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Waldorf residence and met with the 9-year-old victim. The victim reported that she was sexually touched by Escobar-Argueta in the early morning hours prior to the officer’s arrival.

An investigation revealed that Escobar-Argueta was a family friend who was present at the victim’s residence for a party. While the victim was asleep in a bedroom, Escobar-Argueta asked her parents to use the restroom, but instead entered the victim’s bedroom.

The victim woke up and discovered Escobar-Argueta lying next to her. Escobar-Argueta began touching the victim inappropriately. Escobar-Argueta also requested to perform sexual acts on the victim. The victim refused his requests and did not want Escobar-Argueta to touch her.

The victim tried to leave the bedroom but was unable because Escobar-Argueta locked the door prior to entering the bed. The victim’s mother was able to break into the room. Escobar-Argueta was then brought out of the room.

Sentence

Count 1

• Sexual Solicitation of a Minor
• 10 Years, suspend all but 8 years in prison

Count 2

• Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense
• 1 year
• Consecutive to Count 1

Count 5

• Fourth-Degree Attempted Sexual Offense
• 1 year
• Consecutive to Counts 1 and 2

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