News

State v. Brian Douglas Pierce, C-08-CR-18-000288

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, September 24, 2018, a Charles County jury, after a 6-day trial, convicted Brian Douglas Pierce, 36, of the Second-Degree Murder of Robert Branson, First Degree Assault of Karwin Carroll, Possession of Cocaine, and related charges.

On September 4, 2017, officers responded to the 6000 block of Port Tobacco Road in Indian Head for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located Branson and Carroll in the backyard of a residence approximately 800 feet from the scene of the shooting. Both men were suffering from gunshot wounds. Branson suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and lung, which proved fatal; however, before succumbing to his injuries, he identified Pierce as the shooter. Carroll, who was shot in the back, fortunately survived his injuries after being flown to a hospital in serious condition.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Pierce and Branson were engaged in a dispute regarding a drug debt. Following the dispute, Pierce went to his father’s residence located near his home on Port Tobacco Road to retrieve a firearm. His brother and father, who were present at the property, refused to give him a gun. Pierce returned to his own residence and retrieved a shotgun located within the house. He then began looking for Branson and Carroll, who were standing outside of the residence. Pierce told the men to leave and Carroll laughed. Pierce then fired the shotgun twice striking each victim once.  Branson and Carroll ran for their lives.

At that point, Pierce got into his vehicle to go after Branson, but was unable to locate him. He then fled to Friendship Park where he abandoned his vehicle. With the assistance of Maryland State Police,  Virginia State Police, and other agencies, Charles County Sheriff’s Officers canvassed the area where his vehicle was located but did not locate Pierce.

Pierce turned himself in to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office on September 5, 2017.

A sentencing date has been set for November 29, 2018. Pierce faces up to 127 years in prison.

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State v. William Alphonso Clark, Jr., C-08-CR-18-000003

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, September 20, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced William Alphonso Clark, Jr., 30 of La Plata, to 12 years in prison and 10 years suspended time for First-Degree Assault and Third-Degree Burglary.

On June 7, 2018, Clark entered a guilty plea to the above charges in Charles County Circuit Court in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier.

On December 10, 2017, officers responded to a residence in Indian Head for a possible burglary and assault in progress. Upon arrival, an officer heard loud screams coming from inside the victim’s residence and was directed by multiple neighbors to the residence. Once inside the residence, the officer found the victim being assaulted by Clark inside of her kitchen. The officer ordered Clark to stop and he complied. The female was then able to escape, and Clark was apprehended inside of the kitchen.

An investigation into the assault revealed that Clark and the victim were previously involved in a romantic relationship; however, they were no longer dating. Prior to the incident, Clark repeatedly tried to get in contact with the victim, but the victim declined to engage with him. On the morning of the incident, the victim received a text message from a relative of Clark that expressed concern for the victim because of Clark. Clark later showed up to the victim’s residence and began banging on the door, but the victim would not allow him entry to the residence. Clark then went to a sliding glass door in the back of the residence and shattered it to gain entrance.

The victim tried to escape, but Clark began to strangle her and threatened her life. The victim was able to temporarily fight him off and tried to escape again. However, Clark was able to grab the victim from the back of the neck and began strangling her and threatened her life again.  Clark then dragged the victim to the kitchen and began pulling the victim’s hair, as well as repeatedly punching her with a closed fist in the face while she was on the floor covered with glass from the broken door.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah K. Freeman emphasized the violent nature of the crime to the judge, “to break into a person’s home when she clearly didn’t want a relationship – repeatedly beating her, pulling her hair, and strangling her – we are lucky the officer was right down the road. Who knows what the injuries would’ve been if it wasn’t for [the officer]. ”

Before sentencing Clark, Judge Bragunier stated, “I’m pretty sure had the defendant been left to his own devices that day, [the victim] would be dead.”

Covington commented, “The Court was correct in praising Deputy Bringley’s quick response and actions which, I believe, saved this victim’s life.  I also think that the good Samaritans that heard the victim screaming for help and directed Bringley to the location deserve praise as well.  Evil wins when good people stand by and do nothing.  This defendant was held accountable for his crimes because good people took action in this life or death scenario. We need more of that in this country.”

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State v. Antonio Ka-Juan Owens, C-08-CR-17-000011

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Thursday, August 30, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Antonio Ka-Juan Owens, 22, to life without parole plus 50 years in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Lydell Wood, Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Murder of Lydell Wood, and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder against Lydell Wood.

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, a Charles County jury, after a 6-day trial and 1 day of deliberations, convicted Owens to the above listed 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 co-defendant Miguel 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 Owens to help him retaliate.

Santana and Owens canvassed the area in search of the group of men present at the earlier shooting. 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.

Owens was later identified as one of the shooters by witness testimony, as well as other extensive corroborating evidence.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Francis Granados told the judge, “[The victim] was a human being and [had] family and friends – he didn’t deserve to die. He will never get the opportunity to build his life and get on the right path – [that was] taken by the defendant and co-defendant.” Granados, referring to Owens, also said, “He has no remorse, this is a cold-blooded murder of which he doesn’t care one bit – he deserves life without parole – he deserves life for what he did.”

Before giving a life without parole sentence, Judge West stated, “What happened here in broad daylight should have never happened,” also adding that the crime was “inexcusable – [the victim was] gunned down in front of his mother.”

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State v. Marcus Darnell Johnson, C-08-CR-18-000014

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, a Charles County jury, after a 6-day trial, convicted Marcus Darnell Johnson, 34 of Nanjemoy, of the Second Degree Murder of Wayne Proctor, Jr. and 6 counts of Reckless Endangerment.

On December 23, 2017, officers responded to the 8300 block of Bowie Road in Nanjemoy for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Wayne Proctor, Jr. lying unconscious on the floor, suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Johnson and the victim, who were neighbors, engaged in a heated argument while standing outside of Proctor’s residence.  The argument was related to a thirty-dollar debt the victim owed the defendant. Proctor’s wife and children were also present during the argument. At some point during the argument, Johnson brandished a handgun which prompted Proctor, his wife, and children to walk inside their residence and close the door. Johnson fired multiple bullets at Proctor as he was closing the door to the house.  Proctor was struck multiple times.  Two of the bullets entered his chest and pierced his heart resulting in Proctor’s death.  Johnson fled the scene but was apprehended by officers shortly thereafter.

Johnson will be sentenced on October 25, 2018. At sentencing, Johnson faces 70 years in prison.

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State v. Franklin Bate Ngosso, C-08-CR-17-000208

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Franklin Bate Ngosso, 34, to 55 years suspend all but 30 years in prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Sexual Offense in the Second 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, Ngosso faces going back to prison for the 25 years that the Court suspended.  Ngosso must also register as a sexual offender for the rest of his life.

On February 20, 2018, Ngosso entered a guilty plea to the above listed charges in Charles County Circuit Court in front of the Honorable Judge H. James West.

On August 8, 2017, officers made contact with the 13-year-old victim who disclosed that Ngosso attempted to perform oral sex on her while she was lying in her bed the previous night. The victim advised that she stopped Ngosso and he exited the room.

A juvenile relative of the victim, who was also present in the room at the time of the incident, witnessed Ngosso underneath the victim’s cover and confronted him. Ngosso told the relative to go back to sleep. The relative later reported the incident to an adult, who reported it to police and sought medical treatment for the victim. The victim further advised that Ngosso had sexually assaulted her multiple times over the span of approximately four years.

During the course of the investigation, Ngosso admitted that he sexually assaulted the victim multiple times.

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State v. Miguel Angel Santana, K17-497

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Thursday, August 2, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Miguel Angel Santana, 28 of Waldorf, to Life plus 105 years for the First-Degree Murder of Thomas Tibbs, 4 counts of Attempted Murder, 5 counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Violent Crime, 9 counts of Reckless Endangerment, and three weapons charges.

On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, a Charles County jury, after a 6-day trial, convicted Santana of the above listed charges.

On March 23, 2016, officers responded to the 2500 block of Gittings Court in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered two victims, Thomas Tibbs and Kemo Key, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for their injuries; however, Tibbs succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

An investigation into the shooting revealed that earlier in the day, Santana’s co-defendant, Rashaad Jovonni Brawner, was involved in a verbal altercation with Key at a gas station.  After leaving, Brawner picked up Santana and drove to a neighborhood looking for Key. When they found Key, Brawner confronted him and a physical confrontation ensued. Brawner attempted to retreat to the driver’s seat of his vehicle; however, several men who were at the residence attempted to pull Brawner out. Santana, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, began shooting at the men while still inside of the vehicle. The men fled. Thomas Tibbs, who was standing nearby but not involved in the fight, was struck with bullets from Santana’s gun in the chest and arm.  Key was also shot, suffering a non-life threatening wound to the buttocks. Brawner and Santana then fled the area in the vehicle.

Witnesses identified Brawner as the driver of the vehicle. Brawner later identified Santana as the shooter.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Francis J. Granados addressed the Court, “This was such a senseless murder. [The defendant] inflicted this grievous loss on [Tibbs’] family. – No parent should have to suffer the loss of a child. Particularly, no parent should have to suffer the loss of a child essentially out there on his doorstep. – The evidence shows a cold-blooded murder. [The defendant] told Rashaad to get out of the way and let out a hailstorm of gunfire. He made the decision he was going to shoot and he was going to kill. He killed [Tibbs]; he tried to kill 4 other people and endangered the good family across the street. – [Tibbs] was a good man. He was an upstanding citizen and working to better himself. The defendant killed him for absolutely no reason.”