Press Releases

State v. Joseph Eugene Penn, C-08-CR-22-000128

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Joseph Eugene Penn, 43, of Bryans Road, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge William R. Greer, Jr., to the Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter of Inga Person.

On January 20, 2022, an officer located in the area of Smallwood Village Center and St. Charles Parkway attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry operated by Penn. Penn fled from the officer into a nearby parking lot then drove back onto St. Charles Parkway at a high rate of speed. Another officer responding to the fleeing vehicle observed the vehicle lose control on a curve on St. Charles Parkway, by the intersection of St. Marks Drive, and travel off the left side of the roadway, striking numerous trees. Person was ejected from the vehicle during the collision.

Penn was seen exiting the driver’s door of the vehicle and fleeing into the woods. Emergency Medical Services attempted life-saving measures on Person, but she, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Numerous officers responded to the area and were able to locate Penn in a nearby neighborhood. Penn was transported to the hospital for a minor injury sustained from the crash.

During the investigation, Penn admitted to seeing the officer activate his lights and he “took off” because he had open warrants and had ingested cocaine. At the time of the incident, Penn had open arrest warrants for failing to appear in court for a Theft over $25,000 charge.

A sentencing date for Penn has been scheduled for October 25, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. He faces up to ten years in prison for this offense. 

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Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, a Charles County jury, after an 8-day trial, convicted Deon Watkins, 51, of the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh, the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett, and related 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 an open door to a residence in the neighborhood. 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 that residence. Several neighbors also reported hearing gunshots around 12:30 a.m.

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 based on 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.

A status has been set for October 27, 2023, at which time a sentencing date will be selected. 

Guilty

• 2 counts of First-Degree Murder
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence

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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 Wednesday, July 26, 2023, a Charles County jury convicted Jose Eugenio Escobar-Argueta, 34 of Waldorf, of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor, Second-Degree Assault, Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense, and Fourth-Degree Attempted Sexual Offense.

On January 30, 2022, an officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3400 block of Fordington Place in Waldorf and met with the 8-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 bedroom.

The victim woke up and discovered Escobar-Argueta lying next to her. Escobar-Argueta began touching the victim’s chest, upper area of her body and hips over top of her clothes, as well as kissing her cheeks. Escobar-Argueta requested to kiss her lips and touch her genital area. 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.

A sentencing date has been set for September 21, 2023. He faces 12 years in prison.

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

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, July 20, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Keishon Javontae Thompson, 21, to life plus 15 years and two days in prison for the First-Degree Murder of J’Shaun Wallace, 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. Prior to the shooting, Wallace made no visible signs of aggression toward Thompson and did not have a weapon.

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.

Thompson and Wallace were well acquainted with each other prior to the sale. Wallace was 19 years old when he was murdered.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse told the judge, “At the end of the day, what we have is the most senseless murder I’ve ever seen and someone who has taken no accountability. When you put those two things together, there’s no question that he should get a life plus sentence from Your Honor.”

Before giving Thompson his sentence, Judge West stated, “The extreme level of senselessness and violence is rare.” He furthered that it was a “sense of betrayal that I quite frankly never seen before.”

Sentence

• First-Degree Murder
  • Life in prison
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
  • 13 years in prison
  • Consecutive to other counts
• Possession of a Regulated Firearm Being Under 21
  • 1 year and 1 day in prison
  • Consecutive to other counts
• Loaded Handgun on Person
  • 1 year and 1 day
  • Consecutive to other counts

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State v. Ta’vyon Cortaz Wills, C-08-CR-23-000080

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Ta’vyon Cortaz Wills, 18, of Waldorf, to 10 years in prison for Armed Robbery and Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

On May 10, 2023, Wills entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On January 3, 2023, officers responded to the Smallwood Village Center in Waldorf for the report of a robbery. The victim told officers that he had just been robbed at gunpoint a short distance away.

An investigation revealed that the victim met Wills at an apartment complex located in the 2000 block of Amber Leaf Place in Waldorf to purchase cannabis. Wills and the victim proceeded to the second level of the building, where Wills instructed the victim to sit down and wait for his return. The victim remained in expectation of receiving cannabis from Wills. However, Wills returned with three additional males and a black semi-automatic style handgun. Wills pointed the gun directly at the victim and demanded he give his cellphone and $60. After giving Wills his iPhone, the victim ran away.

At the time of the incident, Wills was on probation and had a court-ordered ankle GPS monitoring device for separate offenses.

Sentencing
C-08-CR-23-000080
• Count 1: Armed Robbery
o 10 years in prison

• Count 2: Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
o 5 years in prison; Concurrent to Count 1

C-08-CR-23-000309
• Count 1: Possession of Firearm under 21
o 160 days, credit for 160 days

C-08-CR-22-000090
• Count 1: Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm
o Violated probation for failing to obey all laws
o 4 years and 8 months in prison, concurrent with C-08-CR-23-000080 and C-08-CR-23-000309

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LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Virginia Marie Stone, 46, to 10 years, with all but 8 years suspended, in prison for Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult in the First Degree. Stone will serve on supervised probation for five years upon release.

On March 3, 2023, Stone entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charge in Charles County Circuit Court.

On September 30, 2020, officers responded to the 17400 block of Audrey Road in Cobb Island in reference to a subject not breathing. Upon arrival, officers found the 18-year-old victim, Elizabeth Stone, unresponsive and not breathing in her bed. The victim appeared emaciated and was only partially clothed. Feces and maggots were located on the victim’s body, as well as large sores on her lower extremity. Further, the victim’s room appeared unkept and unsanitary. Unfortunately, the victim was officially pronounced deceased by Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

An investigation revealed that the victim suffered from an underlying flesh-eating disease that limited her mobility and required outside medical care, as well as care from her mother. Stone reported to officers that prior to their arrival, the victim told Stone that she was not feeling well and requested a glass of milk. When Stone returned to the room, the victim was beginning to breathe heavily, which continued until Stone called 911. Due to the horrific severity that the victim was discovered, it was determined that Stone did not give her proper care for years preceding her death. 

The assistant state’s attorney prosecuting the case requested the maximum penalty of 10 years, stating, “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I can say without a doubt this is the worst case I’ve ever seen” citing that “this was a chronic situation that happened over time and, frankly, must have been torturous.” She furthered that parents are supposed to protect their children, but this case was “horrific, tragic, [and] awful.”

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State v. Keyon Micah Jasey, C-08-CR-22-000282

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, March 24, 2023, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Keyon Micah Jasey, 21, to 15 years in prison for Armed Carjacking and Use of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime.

Jasey entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges on February 10, 2023.

On May 13, 2022, the victim reported to officers that he was carjacked at gunpoint. An investigation revealed that the victim was parked in his white 2017 Corolla at the Pinefield Shopping Center in Waldorf when four suspects approached him. One of the suspects, later determined to be Jasey, pointed a handgun at the victim through his open driver’s door window and threatened that he would kill the victim if he did not step out of the vehicle. After the victim was forced out of his vehicle, the four suspects entered and fled the area.

Officers later located and attempted to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Mattawoman Beantown Road and Leonardtown Road. However, the suspects continued to flee until they came to a rest on Mt. Claire Place in Waldorf. The suspects exited the vehicle and ran from the officers. Three of the four suspects were apprehended on scene, including co-defendant Marquese Dayequan Milburn. Jasey was initially able to escape. An officer patrolling the area of Pinefield neighborhood observed Jasey matching the description of the suspect who escaped; he was later identified as the escaped suspect involved in the carjacking.

On October 21, 2022, co-defendant Marquese Milburn was sentenced to 13 years, with all but 7 years suspended, in prison for Armed Carjacking. Upon release, Milburn will be on supervised probation for a period of five years.

The other two co-defendants involved in the incident are juveniles.

Sentencing

Count 1

• Armed Carjacking
• 15 years in prison

Count 2

• Use of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime
• 15 years in prison, Concurrent to Count 1

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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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