News

State v. Melvin Edward Johnson, C-08-CR-18-000580

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, December 19, 2019, a Charles County jury convicted Melvin Edward Johnson, 63, of Home Invasion, First-Degree Assault, Attempted First-Degree Arson, Second-Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment and related charges.

On July 1, 2018, officers responded to a residence in the 3300 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf for a report of a home invasion and violation of a peace order. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Agnes Reed, who was soaking wet and had a strong odor of gasoline emanating from her clothing. They also observed a portion of the residence’s driveway actively engulfed in flames. Officers were able to make contact with multiple people who were inside of the house at the time of the incident. They reported that Johnson forcefully broke into the residence by smashing a sliding glass patio door, rushed into the residence and began throwing gasoline on Reed.  He then proceeded to pour gasoline throughout the house, including a bedroom located towards the back of the house. Johnson was able to successfully ignite a fire in the bedroom, scorching the carpet. A physical confrontation ensued after male occupants of the house tried to restrain Johnson; however, Johnson was eventually able to escape outside. While outside, Johnson lit a cup of gasoline on fire and attempted to throw it onto Reed; however, hit the driveway instead.  At the time of the incident, the residence was occupied by four people. Reed also had an active peace order against Johnson ordering him to have no contact with her.

A sentencing date has been scheduled for February 20, 2020. Johnson faces over 90 years in prison.

Guilty

• First-Degree Assault of Agnes Reed
• Reckless Endangerment of Agnes Reed
• Home Invasion
• Attempted First-Degree Arson
• Violation of Final Peace Order
• Second-Degree Assault of Kelvin Dickens
• Reckless Endangerment of Kelvin Dickens
• Reckless Endangerment of Ralph Sargent
• Second-Degree Assault of George Toye
• Reckless Endangerment of George Toye
• Malicious Destruction of Property Valued Less than $1,000

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State v. Darrayl John Wilson, K15-551

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, December 19, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Darrayl John Wilson, 28 of Nanjemoy, to 20 years in prison for the Conspiracy to Commit Second-Degree Murder of Crystal Anderson. Wilson was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised probation upon his release.

On October 23, 2019, Wilson entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court for the aforementioned charge.

Anderson was initially reported missing in August 2011 and remained as a missing person until January 2, 2012, when a hiker discovered her skeletal remains in the area of Purse State Park in Nanjemoy, MD.

An investigation revealed that on the night of July 26, 2011, Anderson, Wilson, and co-defendant Raymond Daniel Posey, III left a party in Nanjemoy to obtain PCP from Anderson’s supplier in Prince George’s County, MD. Anderson was promised that there was a potential buyer for the PCP in the Nanjemoy area. According to court documents, upon returning to Nanjemoy, Anderson was robbed at gun point and then shot repeatedly by Posey. Wilson then helped throw Anderson’s body over a guardrail and down a steep hill in a remote area of Purse State Park. Following the murder, Wilson was seen selling clothing items of Anderson before she was reported missing. Anderson remained a missing person for five months, until a hiker discovered skeletal remains in the area of Purse State Park, later identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland to be Anderson’s.

Anderson was 29 years old at the time of the murder.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie addressed the judge, “the only reason anything ever came of this case is because of [Anderson’s mother]. There wouldn’t be any justice to Crystal if it wasn’t for her. My only hope is that this brings some level of closure to the family because it’s been a long, long time.”
He furthered, “[The victim] died with people she believed were her friends. There’s no worse fate that anyone could imagine.”

Before sentencing Wilson, Judge West stated, “A violent ending to such a young life reverberates throughout the community. – This family, this mother, this victim deserve so much better. For the people to bring this sort of thing to you to be your friends is unimaginable.”

He then addressed the defendant, “You had a strange loyalty to someone who could do this type of thing – someone I don’t think would have the same loyalty to you.”

On October 30, 2017, co-defendant Posey was sentenced to 60 years in prison for his role in the murder.

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State v. Sherman Kelly, Jr., C-08-CR-19-000072

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, December 13, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Sherman Kelly, Jr., 40 of Waldorf, to 43 years in prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Third-Degree Sex Offense, and two counts of Production of Child Pornography.

On July 2, 2019, Kelly entered a guilty plea to the above listed charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On December 20, 2018, officers made contact with the victim and her mother after receiving a report of an assault. The then 14-year-old victim reported that Kelly had repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the span of approximately six months. The last assault occurred the prior day when Kelly had sexual intercourse with her inside of her Waldorf residence. The victim disclosed the assaults to her mother during the early morning hours of December 20; her mother then contacted the police.

During the course of the investigation, pictures were discovered of the victim in a state of undress from a camera that Kelly placed inside of the victim’s bathroom.

It was also revealed that Kelly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old relative of the victim. On several occasions, Kelly had the 12-year-old victim perform sexual acts in exchange for cell phone usage.

Before sentencing Kelly, Judge West addressed the defendant, “these two girls have been through things that no one [their age] should go through. When you’re fourteen and twelve, you are more vulnerable. [The victims were] in a position where the person abusing [them] is also the person who is supposed to protect [them]. I imagine that’s confusing. You, for a large portion of their lives, were the biggest danger to them and the world is dangerous enough.”

State v. Miguel Angel Santana, K17-83

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, December 12, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Miguel Angel Santana, 29 of Waldorf, to life in prison for Conspiracy to Commit the First-Degree Murder of Lydell Wood and Possession of a Firearm with a Disqualifying Crime.
On April 3, 2019, a Charles County jury found Santana guilty of the above-mentioned charges.

On January 6, 2016, officers responded to the 2600 block of Rooks Head Place in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, Lydell Wood, with a single gunshot wound in his back. The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

An investigation into the shooting revealed that an acquaintance of Wood got into a confrontation with Santana earlier that day while Wood and other men were present. The acquaintance brandished a handgun and shot at Santana. Wood had no involvement in the shooting. Santana fled the area unharmed and contacted co-defendant Antonio Ka-Juan Owens to help him retaliate.
Santana and Owens returned to the area in search of the person who shot at Santana earlier in the day. When Wood was spotted, Santana and Owens confronted him. Wood ran away after both men brandished guns. Santana and Owens gave chase and fired several gunshots, striking Wood in the back as he attempted to find safety and enter a house in the neighborhood. After the shooting, both men fled the area.

Santana was later identified as one of the shooters by witness testimony, as well as other extensive corroborating evidence.
Co-defendant Owens was previously found guilty by a Charles County jury of First-Degree Murder and related charges for his involvement. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 50 years in prison on August 30, 2018 by the Honorable Judge H. James West.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie addressed the judge, “[the defendant] has shown a propensity for violence. Mr. Santana is a violent and dangerous person. There’s no other way to spin it. The only thing to look at is his history – and that is a very horrifying and dismal picture. The State asks that Your Honor incapacitates the defendant for as long as humanly possible to ensure he does not victimize anyone else in this community or another [community].”

Prior to his conviction for this case, Santana was convicted for the first-degree murder of another victim. Santana is serving life plus 105 years in a prison for that case.
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State v. Marquis Deangelo Swann, C-08-CR-18-000578

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, December 5, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Marquis Deangelo Swann, 26 of Waldorf, to 20 years in prison for three counts of First-Degree Assault.

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

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

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

On June 28, 2019, co-defendant Butler-Charles entered a guilty plea to three counts of First-Degree Assault and Possession of a Regulated Firearm with a Prior Disqualifying Conviction. He was subsequently sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years of supervised probation upon his release.

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State v. Keith Allan Krikstan, C-08-CR-18-000466

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, November 21, 2019, after four days of trial, a Charles County jury convicted Keith Allan Krikstan, 32 of Waldorf, of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Production of Child Pornography, and Visual Surveillance of a Private Area.

In January of 2018, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office discovered an inappropriate video of the victim during an investigation of Krikstan and his involvement with another juvenile. Communications with the victim and her mother revealed that Krikstan babysat the victim and her sibling on numerous occasions at their residence. Krikstan also worked as a substitute teacher at the victim’s school.

A further investigation revealed that Krikstan initially became acquainted with the victim through her mother’s place of employment in January of 2017. He later babysat the then 12-year-old victim at her residence. In June of 2017, Krikstan secretly set up a recording device in the victim’s bathroom and recorded the victim with no clothes on, unbeknownst to the victim. In November of 2017, Krikstan entered the victim’s bedroom with the victim and used his cell phone to record her simulating oral sex on a banana. Krikstan coached the victim on what to do while recording.

Downloads from Krikstan’s cellular device revealed the video simulation of oral sex. Downloads from two of Krikstan’s computer devices revealed inappropriate images of the victim captured in her bathroom.

During the course of the investigation, Krikstan admitted to the victim’s mother that he had inappropriate feelings for the victim.

On April 16, 2019, Krikstan was found guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor for the initial juvenile victim. A sentencing date for both cases has been scheduled for January 14, 2020.

State v. Teion Lamon Brewer, C-08-CR-19-000280

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Teion Lamon Brewer, 23 of Waldorf, to life suspend all but 50 years in prison for the Attempted First-Degree Murder of Johrel Key and Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime. Upon release, Brewer will be on supervised probation for 5 years.

On September 5, 2019, Brewer entered a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On March 23, 2019, officers responded to the parking lot of Dollar General located in the 11800 block of Montgomery Lane in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found victim Johrel Key lying in the parking lot suffering with a gunshot wound to his head. Key was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma to be treated for his injuries. While at the scene, officers spoke to multiple witnesses who described the suspects and the direction they fled. After canvassing the area, officers apprehended Brewer and his juvenile co-defendant. Fortunately, Key survived the incident; however, he suffered extensive injury and is legally blind as a result of the shooting.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Key was seated in a vehicle outside of Dollar General waiting for Brewer and his co-defendant. Key was located in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, which was also occupied by another adult and a small child. When Brewer and his co-defendant approached the vehicle, Brewer wielded a gun, pointed it at Key, and demanded money. Moments later, Brewer shot Key in the head. Brewer and his co-defendant then fled the area.

During the investigation, Brewer admitted to being the shooter, which was corroborated by extensive evidence.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Constance B. Kopelman addressed the judge, “This was a brutal crime in broad daylight. The impact of this incredibly egregious act will affect Mr. Key for the rest of his life. [The victim will] live his life in darkness.”

Before sentencing Brewer, Judge Greer stated, “The victim in this case was left with life-altering injuries. – The entire episode was planned and staged for no reason. The actions showed not only disregard for the victim, but all located in the vehicle as well.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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