Press Releases

State v. Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, K17-241

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 38, of Waldorf, to 70 years in prison for the Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray, Attempted Second-Degree Murder of Emmanuel Perkins, Second-Degree Assault of Steven Mason, Jr., Second-Degree Assault of Anthony Thomas, and related charges. 

On July 27, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Wilkins of the above-mentioned charges.

On February 4, 2017, officers responded to the Beer 4 U Bar located in the 2100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered several victims suffering from various injuries, including Emmanuel Perkins, who sustained head injuries from an earlier assault, and Miaquita Gray, who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. Gray was later pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries. 

A preliminary investigation revealed that a few moments prior to the shooting, Perkins was physically assaulted and robbed by three male suspects in the bathroom of Beer 4 U. After the assault, Perkins and his girlfriend, Gray, exited the bar and stood in the parking lot of the establishment. The suspects also exited the establishment prior to Gray and Perkins leaving the bar.  Perkins recognized the three male suspects and pointed them out.  One of the suspects brandished a gun and began firing at Perkins and Gray, fatally striking Gray. Two other victims were struck but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. 

A further investigation revealed Wilkins as the shooter and identified co-defendant Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. as an accomplice to the shooting and the armed robbery in the bathroom. 

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie told the judge, “There are people left behind in the community who have to deal with the aftermath and the impact of this incident. – Based on the actions that [Wilkins] did that night, he is not deserving of mercy from the Court. This crime is horrific.”

Sentence

Count 1

• Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray
• 30 years in prison

Count 2

• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
• 20 years in prison
• Consecutive to count 1

Count 20

• Second-Degree Assault of Steven Mason
• 10 years in prison
• Consecutive to counts 1 and 2

Count 24

• Second-Degree Assault of Anthony Thomas
• 10 years in prison
• Consecutive to counts 1, 2, and 20

County 27

• Firearm Possession with Felony Conviction
• 15 years in prison
• Concurrent to counts 1, 2, 20, and 24

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State v. Tanesha Renea Williams, C-08-CR-21-000161

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, October 4, 2021, Tanesha Renea Williams, 26 of Waldorf, entered a plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to First-Degree Assault, four counts of Second-Degree Assault, and Malicious Destruction of Property.

On March 31, 2021, officers responded to the Taco Bell located at 91 Smallwood Drive in Waldorf for the report of a disorderly subject at the drive-thru window. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the front entrance doors to the Taco Bell were shattered. Officers also contacted multiple victims who were struck by a vehicle. Victims reported that the suspect, later determined to be Williams, fled in a silver Hyundai Sonata.

An investigation, which included the gathering of video of the incident, revealed that Williams, a customer at the Taco Bell, was in her vehicle at the drive-thru lane ordering position when she became involved in an argument with a Taco Bell employee.  Prior to driving up to the drive-thru window, Williams exited her vehicle and approached the drive-thru window on foot and assaulted the Taco Bell employee.  Shortly after the assault at the drive-thru window, Williams returned to her vehicle and drove to the front of the Taco Bell. 

While at the front of the restaurant, but still in her vehicle, Williams argued with numerous Taco Bell employees who had exited the store and were on foot, standing near the front entrance.  Williams was fully stopped in her vehicle.  At one point, Williams revved her engine and drove forward towards the group as if to strike them with her vehicle but stopped. She then backed her vehicle up.  Instead of exiting the parking lot at that time, Williams again drove her car forward but this time she did not stop and drove into and through the group of employees.  After striking the employees, Williams continued forward right through the front doors of the Taco Bell destroying property.  Williams then backed out of the Taco Bell building and fled the scene in her car. At no time during the altercation was Williams blocked in or prevented from leaving Taco Bell property.

Williams’ sentencing hearing has been set for January 12, 2022, at 1 p.m.  In total, she faces a maximum sentence of 65 years, 60 days incarceration.

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LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Marc Christopher Brown, Jr., 28, to 75 years in prison for Home Invasion, First-Degree Burglary, Kidnapping, and related charges.

On June 3, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Marc Christopher Brown, Jr., 28, of the above listed charges.

On December 12, 2019, officers made contact with the victim at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The victim reported that she was assaulted at her Waldorf residence and kidnapped.

An investigation revealed that on December 11, 2019 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the victim returned home from work and walked into the foyer of her residence. Upon entrance, a male suspect, later determined to be Brown, ran from the living room and began to physically assault her. Brown struck the victim in the head and body several times, pinned her down, and bound her hands and feet. He also stuffed gauze pads in her mouth and tied tape around her head to hold the gauze pads in place.

After keeping the victim bound in her house for several hours, Brown forced the victim into the passenger side of her 2010 black Toyota Camry. As Brown was exiting the neighborhood, the victim was able to free her hands and feet and fall out of the vehicle.  The victim screamed as the vehicle stopped.

When the vehicle stopped, Brown got out and dragged the victim back into the vehicle.  Brown then drove the vehicle out of the neighborhood. Brown drove around for some time before returning to the victim’s residence. Brown re-secured the ligatures around the victim’s feet and hands inside of the residence. He also covered her head with a coat and forced her to sit on a stair while he proceeded to rummage through items in the house.

Brown then forced the victim back into the vehicle and drove to several ATM machines in an attempt to withdraw money using the victim’s credit and debit cards. He successfully withdrew $100 from a bank in Waldorf. After his attempts to withdraw money, Brown drove to the area of Gardiner Road in Accokeek and pushed the victim out of the vehicle while her hands and feet were still bound. He then left the area in her vehicle. The victim was able to contact a passerby who was able to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department.  Officers responded and located the victim on the roadway still bound.

Shortly after leaving the victim, Brown drove the victim’s vehicle into the front glass doors of the AMF Waldorf Lanes bowling alley several times. He then exited the vehicle and approached the ATM machine located in the business’s lobby.  Once he discovered the ATM was empty, he left the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

Brown was apprehended on December 12, 2019. When officers apprehended Brown, they discovered glass in his bookbag that matched the glass from AMF Waldorf Lanes and $100. Brown was also wearing shoes that matched the pattern found on a shoeprint at the victim’s residence. The victim’s vehicle was later located near Brown’s father’s residence.

Sentence

Count 1

• Home Invasion
• 25 years without the possibility of parole

Count 2

• 1st Degree Burglary
• 20 years
• Concurrent with Count 1

Count 4

• Kidnapping
• 30 years
• Consecutive to Counts 1 and 2

Count 5

• Robbery
• 15 years
• Concurrent to Counts 1 and 2

Count 6

• False Imprisonment
• 10 years
• concurrent to Count 4

Count 8

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• 5 years consecutive to Counts 1, 2, 4

Count 13

• 2nd Degree Burglary
• 15 years
• Consecutive to Counts 1, 2, 4, 8

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State v. Darryl Edward Freeman, C-08-CR-20-000179

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Darryl Edward Freeman, 19, to life in prison for the First-Degree Murder and Armed Robbery of Bradley Brown, as well as related charges.

On Thursday, May 6, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Freeman of the above-mentioned 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 victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On the day of the incident, Freeman reached out to Brown under the guise of purchasing THC vape cartridges.
During the course of the investigation, officers discovered that Freeman arrived at Brown’s residence, along with two other individuals to rob Brown of the THC vape cartridges, worth approximately $850.

Brown was shot and killed during the robbery. Freeman and the other two individuals immediately fled the area in Freeman’s vehicle.

During sentencing, Deputy State’s Attorney Karen Piper Mitchell told the judge, “Bradley made a poor decision that night, but what he lost was his ability to learn from it. What happened to Bradley was inexcusable. A 17-year-old should be planning for prom and figuring out next steps. Parents shouldn’t have to bury their child. They shouldn’t have to go outside and be reminded of their son’s death. No decision that Bradley made that night made him deserve to not be here.”

Before sentencing Freeman to life in prison, Judge West stated, “The places that people associate with peace have now become nightmare-ish locations. None of this would have happened if this plan wasn’t hatched. We have a teenager who lost his life over vape cartridges worth $850. It just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

State v. Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, K17-241 

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 37, of Waldorf, of Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, and related charges. 

On February 4, 2017, officers responded to the Beer 4 U Bar located in the 2100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered several victims suffering from various injuries, including Emmanuel Perkins, who sustained head injuries from an earlier assault, and Miaquita Gray, who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. Gray was later pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.  

A preliminary investigation revealed that a few moments prior to the shooting, Perkins was physically assaulted and robbed by three male suspects in the bathroom of Beer 4 U. After the assault, Perkins and his girlfriend, Gray, exited the bar and stood in the parking lot of the establishment. The suspects also exited the establishment prior to Gray and Perkins leaving the bar.  Perkins recognized the three male suspects and pointed them out.  One of the suspects brandished a gun and began firing at Perkins and Gray, fatally striking Gray. Two other victims were struck but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.  

A further investigation revealed Wilkins as the shooter and identified co-defendant Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. as an accomplice to the shooting and the armed robbery in the bathroom.  

On December 4, 2017, Thompson entered a guilty plea to Armed Robbery and Use of a Handgun During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Honorable Judge William R. Greer, Jr. on June 29, 2018. 

A sentencing date has been set for Wilkins on October 20, 2021 at 1 p.m. He faces up to 138 years in prison. 

Guilty 

• Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray 
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence 
• Attempted Second-Degree Murder of Emmanuel Perkins 
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of aa Crime of Violence 
• 3 counts of Reckless Endangerment 
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Assault 
• Wear, Carry, and Transport of Handgun Upon Their Person 
• Firearm Possession with Felony Conviction 

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State v. Dashawn Fitzgerald Thomason, C-08-CR-20-000572

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, July 26, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Dashawn Fitzgerald Thomason, 19, of Waldorf, to 15 years in prison for Armed Robbery, Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Robbery, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

On May 11, 2021, Thomason entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On September 16, 2020, officers responded to the 3000 block of Pilgrims Square in Waldorf for the report of an armed robbery. An investigation revealed that victim Rommel Inman arranged to meet with an individual to purchase marijuana. During the transaction, three male suspects approached Inman and assaulted him. The suspects demanded that Inman give them money and other belongings. One of the suspects produced a handgun. After the suspects received the belongings, they fled. 

On October 9, 2020, officers made contact with another victim, Ronnell Benson, and a witness. Benson reported that he was contacted by Thomason, a former schoolmate, via Instagram to film a music video for his friend, later identified as co-defendant Joshua Reginald Michael-Leech.

Benson arrived at the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf and began filming Michael-Leech. During filming, another male suspect put Benson in a chokehold. Michael-Leech then demanded Benson’s belongings. Benson gave his camera and equipment, as well as other items.

In a separate incident on October 20, 2020, officers responded to the CVS Pharmacy located in the 3800 block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, they made contact with victim Umar Ali, who reported he was just robbed at gunpoint and physically assaulted for his belongings. He stated prior to the robbery, he was speaking with a former classmate, co-defendant Pasheun Monique Perry, in her vehicle located in the CVS parking lot. While in the vehicle, Ali was placed in a chokehold by a suspect in the backseat. Two other male suspects, one determined to be Thomason, began punching him, and demanding his belongings. Ali was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained during the robbery.

A week later, on October 27, 2020, officers made contact with another victim, Prince Sherman. Sherman reported being robbed at gunpoint in the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf. An investigation revealed that Thomason, a former schoolmate, reached out to Sherman via Instagram under the guise of being interested in purchasing expensive hoodies. Thomason provided Sherman with a location for the exchange. When Sherman arrived, Thomason was present. Two other male suspects began to approach Sherman. One pulled out a gun, pointed it at him, and demanded his belongings. A woman who was in Sherman’s vehicle attempted to flee once she saw the robbery take place. She was stopped by one of the suspects, who demanded her cellphone. She gave the phone to him out of fear for her safety.

On November 4, 2020, a search warrant was conducted at Thomason’s residence. During the search, a handgun, property of Inman and Benson, as well as other firearm paraphernalia were recovered. Thomason admitted to his involvement in all the robberies.

Before sentencing Thomason to fifteen years, Judge West stated, “This is a major case and what this case has is calculation and planning. It involves luring people who trusted him enough to be lured, who considered him a friend. The victims in this case have been greatly affected by this and the community has been affected by this.”

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State v. Daniel Jonathan Felts

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, July 23, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Daniel Jonathan Felts, 38, to two life sentences in prison for Second Degree Rape, Possession of Child Pornography, and two counts of Solicitation to Commit Murder.

On April 21, 2021, Felts entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On September 4, 2019, the juvenile victim and her mother contacted officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to report multiple sexual assaults that occurred on Blair Road in Indian Head. The victim reported that between 2016-2019, Felts touched her underneath her clothing and forced her to have sex with him on various occasions. The victim also reported that Felts purchased a sex toy for her use.

Felts was apprehended on October 4, 2019 and was held at the Charles County Detention Center.

During the course of the investigation, officers confiscated Felts’ cell phone and found pornographic images of children on his device.

In August 2020, detectives from the CCSO learned that an inmate was trying to solicit someone to murder two people. An investigation by the CCSO and Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that Felts reached out and offered to pay someone to kill the juvenile victim and her mother before his trial date. Thankfully, the victim and her mother were unharmed.

At sentencing, the prosecutor told the judge, “These charges are some of the most serious that Your Honor has seen and that this courthouse has seen. The State implores the Court to give the maximum sentence as punishment and to show the community that we don’t tolerate adults having sex children, and we don’t tolerate people trying to solicit murder. –  It’s heinous, it’s horrific, and he deserves the maximum sentence that you can impose.”

Before giving Felts two life sentences, Judge Greer stated, “These heinous actions show that you were only considering yourself. You are a danger to others and not interested in rehabilitation.” He further said that Felts would be “an ongoing danger to every member of society” which “demands [he] receives the maximum penalty to protect the community.”

C-08-CR-20-000293

• Count One – Second Degree Rape
  • Life

C-08-CR-20-000351

• Count One – Possession of Child Pornography
  • 10 years concurrent to Count One in C-08-CR-20-000293

C-08-CR-20-463

• Count One – Solicitation to Commit Murder
  • Life consecutive to Count One in C-08-CR-20-000293
• Count Two – Solicitation to Commit Murder
  • Life concurrent to Count One in C-08-CR-20-463; consecutive to count one in   C-08-CR-20-000293

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State v. James Anthony Christian, C-08-CR-20-000031

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced James Anthony Christian, 46 of Bryans Road, to 25 years in prison for Motor Vehicle Manslaughter and 4 counts of Second-Degree Assault. Christian entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges on May 11, 2021.

Covington, commenting on the sentence said: “Destanee is gone and there is no remedy for that.  I am gratified, however, that the Court imposed a very significant sentence for this drugged driving case.  Given his behavior and total lack of concern for anyone else on the road that day, the defendant, quite frankly, earned this sentence.  The impact on him is unfortunate, but it is not the end of his life – and remember he caused it.  He will come home one day.  Destanee, on the other hand, will never come home. Her family will never see her smile again. Christian caused that too. 25 years is appropriate.”

On October 14, 2018, troopers from the Maryland State Police responded to Maryland Route 6, west of Burch Road in Port Tobacco for the report of a two-vehicle collision. Upon arrival, troopers observed a Maroon 2015 Nissan Rogue with severe front-end damage on the westbound shoulder of Route 6 and a Black 2014 Chevrolet Cruze with severe rear-end damage in a private driveway. Deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Waldorf Fire and Rescue Squad were already on the scene.

When troopers made contact with the operator of the Nissan Rogue, later identified as Christian, he appeared intoxicated and confused. Troopers detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the Nissan Rogue and observed a clear plastic bottle containing burnt tobacco cigarettes located inside the vehicle. The cigarettes appeared to be soaked in Phencyclidine (PCP).

An investigation into the collision revealed that a Chevrolet Cruze, operated by Tiauna Quarles and occupied by Destanee Keenae Lyles, as well as three other passengers, was traveling Eastbound on Maryland Route 6. Ms. Quarles had just left her driveway and was taking Destanee Lyles and two of her friends back to college in Virginia.  A Nissan Rogue, operated by Christian, was also traveling eastbound on Maryland Route 6 and approached the Chevrolet Cruz from behind. Christian attempted to pass the Chevrolet Cruze, however, failed to control his speed in order to avoid a collision. The right front of the Nissan Rogue collided with the left rear of the Chevrolet Cruze.

The impact caused the Chevrolet Cruze to rotate clockwise and collide with a ditch. As a result, the rear axle became separated from the vehicle. The Chevrolet Cruze came to a final rest in a private driveway. Christian’s vehicle also rotated clockwise but came to a final rest on the roadway. The vehicle caught fire as a result of the collision but was extinguished by a Charles County Sheriff Deputy. At the time of impact, Christian was driving 109 miles per hour.

The occupants of both vehicles were transported to the hospital due to injuries sustained during the collision. Lyles, who was in the rear seat of the driver’s side of the Chevrolet Cruze, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. She was only 18 years old.

It was later determined that Christian was involved in a hit-and-run incident before the deadly collision. Also prior to the crash, he forced another vehicle off the roadway and almost side-swiped yet another vehicle just before the fatal crash.  One driver correctly estimated that Christian was traveling more than 100 mph just moments before the collision.

A blood sample taken from Christian indicated he had PCP in his system at the time of the incident.

During sentencing, in a packed courtroom filled with Destanee’s family and friends, the prosecutor told the judge, “This man is 46 years old and has been using PCP since 2010. He has been afforded probation. He has been afforded treatment. At this point, the opportunity has passed. Enough is enough. The community and justice demand he be incarcerated for 25 years. He put so many lives in danger. He took the life of an 18-year-old and almost four other lives. The defendant’s history, coupled with his behavior in this case, and his actions after it, warrant the twenty-five years.”

State v. Marc Christopher Brown, Jr., C-08-CR-20-000020

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, June 3, 2021, a Charles County jury, after a 7-day trial and less than a day of deliberation, convicted Marc Christopher Brown, Jr., 28, of Home Invasion, First-Degree Burglary, Kidnapping, and related charges.

On December 12, 2019, officers made contact with victim Uchenna Okezie at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. Okezie reported that she was assaulted at her Waldorf residence and kidnapped.

An investigation revealed that on December 11, 2019 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the victim returned home from work and walked into the foyer of her residence. Upon entrance, a male suspect, later determined to be Brown, ran from the living room and began to physically assault her. Brown struck the victim in the head and body several times, pinned her down, and bound her hands and feet. He also stuffed gauze pads in her mouth and tied tape around her head to hold the gauze pads in place.

After keeping the victim bound in her house for several hours, Brown forced the victim into the passenger side of her 2010 black Toyota Camry. As Brown was exiting the neighborhood,  the victim was able to free her hands and feet and fall out of the vehicle.  The victim screamed as the vehicle stopped.

When the vehicle stopped, Brown got out and dragged the victim back into the vehicle.  Brown then drove the vehicle out of the neighborhood. Brown drove around for some time before returning to the victim’s residence. Brown re-secured the ligatures around the victim’s feet and hands inside of the residence. He also covered her head with a coat and forced her to sit on a stair while he proceeded to rummage through items in the house.

Brown then forced the victim back into the vehicle and drove to several ATM machines in an attempt to withdraw money using the victim’s credit and debit cards. He successfully withdrew $100 from a bank in Waldorf. After his attempts to withdraw money, Brown drove to the area of Gardiner Road in Accokeek and pushed the victim out of the vehicle while her hands and feet were still bound. He then left the area in her vehicle. The victim was able to contact a passerby who was able to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department.  Officers responded and located the victim on the roadway still bound.

Shortly after leaving the victim, Brown drove the victim’s vehicle into the front glass doors of the AMF Waldorf Lanes bowling alley several times. He then exited the vehicle and approached the ATM machine located in the business’s lobby.  Once he discovery the ATM was empty, he left the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

Brown was apprehended on December 12, 2019. When officers apprehended Brown, they discovered glass in his bookbag that matched the glass from AMF Waldorf Lanes and $100. Brown was also wearing shoes that matched the pattern found on a shoeprint at the victim’s residence. The victim’s vehicle was later located near Brown’s father’s residence.

A sentencing date has been set for August 26, 2021.  Brown faces a potential of over 107 years in prison.

CONVICTED

• Home Invasion
• First-Degree Burglary
• Second-Degree Burglary
• Second-Degree Assault
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• False Imprisonment
• Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle
• Theft: $1,500 to Under $25,000
• Take/Steal/Cary Credit Card Belonging to Another
• Fraudulent Theft of Identifying Information Without Consent
• Malicious Destruction of Property (2 counts)

State v. James Anthony Christian, C-08-CR-20-000031

LA PLATA, MD— Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, James Anthony Christian, 46 of Bryans Road, entered a guilty plea to Motor Vehicle Manslaughter and 4 counts of Second-Degree Assault.

On October 14, 2018, troopers from the Maryland State Police responded to Maryland Route 6, west of Burch Road in Port Tobacco for the report of a two-vehicle collision. Upon arrival, troopers observed a Maroon 2015 Nissan Rogue with severe front-end damage on the westbound shoulder of Route 6 and a Black 2014 Chevrolet Cruze with severe rear end damage in a private driveway. Deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Waldorf Fire and Rescue Squad were already on scene.

When troopers made contact with the operator of the Nissan Rogue, later identified as Christian, he appeared intoxicated and confused. Troopers detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the Nissan Rogue and observed a clear plastic bottle containing burnt tobacco cigarettes located inside the vehicle. The cigarettes appeared to be soaked in Phencyclidine (PCP).

An investigation into the collision revealed that a Chevrolet Cruze, operated by Tiauna Quarles and occupied by Destanee Keenae Lyles, as well as three other passengers, was traveling Eastbound on Maryland Route 6. A Nissan Rogue, operated by Christian, was also traveling eastbound on Maryland Route 6 and approached the Chevrolet Cruz from behind. Christian attempted to pass the Chevrolet Cruze, however, failed to control his speed in order to avoid a collision. The right front half of the Nissan Rogue collided with the left rear half of the Chevrolet Cruze.

The impact caused the Chevrolet Cruze to rotate clockwise and collide with a ditch. As a result, the rear axle became separated from the vehicle. The Chevrolet Cruze came to a final rest in a private driveway. Christian’s vehicle also rotated clockwise but came to a final rest on the roadway. The vehicle caught fire as a result of the collision but was extinguished by the Charles County Sheriff’s Deputies. Christian was driving 109 miles per hour in a posted 50 miles per hour zone.

The occupants of both vehicles were transported to the hospital due to injuries sustained during the collision. Lyles, who was in the rear seat of the driver’s side of the Chevrolet Cruze, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. She was only 18 years old.

It was later determined that Christian had been involved in a hit and run incident prior to the deadly collision. Witnesses reported that Christian was driving recklessly at a high rate of speed.

A blood sample taken from Christian later indicated that he tested positive for PCP.

A sentencing date has been set for June 29, 2021.

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