On Saturday, April 29, 2017, State’s Attorney Tony Covington was invited by the Tri-County MD Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to be a panelist for an important discussion regarding police and community relations, as well as human trafficking in our state.
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, visiting Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Erik H. Nyce sentenced Richard Travess Conway, 28 of Waldorf, to an overall sentence of Life plus 50 years in prison for the murder of Robert Mange, conspiring and attempting to murder Krystal Mange, and the reckless endangerment of 4 others. Conway, a Prince George’s County police officer at the time of the crimes, conspired with and assisted his mother, Caroline Conway.
At 5:45 PM on May 20, 2015, officers responded to the McDonalds at Mall Circle in Waldorf for a shooting. Once on the scene, officers found two adult victims, Robert Mange, 25 of Smithfield, VA, and his pregnant wife Krystal Mange, now 26, of Smithfield, VA, with gunshot wounds. Robert Mange was pronounced dead at the scene. Krystal Mange — who was 7 months pregnant at the time –was critically injured but survived. Her unborn child also survived. During her medical treatment on the scene, Krystal Mange told police that Caroline Conway, the mother of Richard Conway, Krystal’s ex-boyfriend and father of her 2 children, shot her and her husband.
An investigation into the shooting revealed that the victims were involved in an ongoing heated child custody battle with Richard Conway. On the day of the shooting, Richard Conway dropped his mother off near the McDonalds so she could execute the plan to kill Krystal Mange. Robert and Krystal Mange were sitting in their vehicle in the McDonalds parking lot, which was the Court ordered location for the visitation exchange of the children, when Caroline Conway jumped into the back seat. She had a gun in her hand and demanded that Robert and Krystal hand over their cellphones so that they were not able to call for help. Caroline Conway then forced Krystal Mange to call Richard Conway and tell him that the meeting time and location for the children’s exchange would be changed to 7:30 PM in La Plata. Fearing for himself, his wife and his unborn child, Robert Mange tried to disarm Caroline Conway at which point Caroline opened fire. Both Robert and Krystal fled the car. Robert fell to the ground by the driver side door. Caroline followed Robert out of the vehicle, stood over him and shot him three more times. Caroline Conway then circled around the car looking for Krystal. Caroline Conway found Krystal hiding on the other side of the car, shot her twice, then fled the scene.
As she was leaving the scene, Caroline called Richard and told him where to pick her up. Richard picked her up on Old Washington Road and drove her directly to the home of family acquaintances. While at that residence, Caroline admitted to the shooting. She changed her clothing and cleaned up in the bathroom. Witnesses at the residence reported that Richard placed the murder weapon, which was issued to him by the PGPD, in a plastic trash bag along with the clothing Caroline took off. Conway’s service weapon nor Caroline’s clothes have ever been recovered. The witness accounts were corroborated by home video surveillance.
At approximately 7:30 PM, in an attempt to create an alibi, Richard Conway called and texted Krystal Mange’s phone. He left messages each time asking where she was. This was done at 7:30 PM because Krystal Mange, at Carolyn’s orders, had called Richard and told him that they were changing the location and time to 7:30 PM. At the time of these phone calls Richard knew that Krystal had been shot and there would be no exchange.
The Conways then returned to their home where police had already set up a perimeter and both were detained.
State’s Attorney Tony Covington in commenting on an appropriate sentence, said, “The State is asking for a life sentence. During this custody case, Richard Conway repeatedly threatened to kill Krystal Mange. His mother also threatened to kill her if she tried to gain custody of the children. After the many lies they told to wrest custody from Krystal didn’t work, they conspired, planned and carried out this heinous crime. They killed Robert and almost killed Krystal– not to even mention her unborn child. That deserves a life sentence.”
Assistant State’s Attorney Francis J. Granados told the Court at sentencing that, “This crime could not have happened without the defendant. That was his gun, his children, and him driving around that afternoon. Despite his lies, he knew exactly what his mother was going to do. He exploited the trust the community placed in him to use his weapon responsibly. He used it to commit a murder. Richard Conway represents a continued threat, not to the public, but to Krystal Mange and her family. We ask that you never let that happen again.”
The judge, agreeing with Granados, stated, “I’m satisfied that a sentence above guidelines is appropriate. There was, in my view, significant evidence of planning of which the jury could determine its verdict. The plan to murder the mother of your children and her husband, and the amount of effort that went into the plan, makes the nature of this conduct especially vicious and heinous.”
CONVICTED
SENTENCE
Life plus 50 years
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Monday, May 8, 2017, visiting Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Steven I. Platt sentenced Caroline Marie Conway, 53 of Waldorf, to Life without the possibility of Parole plus 60 years for the First Degree Murder of Robert Mange, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder of Robert Mange, Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Murder of Robert Mange , Attempted First Degree Murder of Krystal Mange, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder of Krystal Mange, Unlawful use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Attempted Murder of Krystal Mange, First Degree Assault of Krystal Mange, Unlawful use of a Firearm in the Commission of a crime of violence related to the First Degree Assault of Krystal Mange, and Reckless Endangerment of four other individuals.
Conway was sentenced for the terror she caused at the Rock-n-Roll McDonalds on May 20, 2015. On that date, officers responded to the McDonalds at Mall Circle in Waldorf for a shooting. Once on the scene, officers found two adult victims, Robert Mange, 25 of Smithfield, VA, and his pregnant wife Krystal Mange, 24 of Smithfield, VA, with gunshot wounds. Robert Mange was pronounced dead at the scene. Krystal Mange, though critically injured, survived. Her unborn child also survived. During her medical treatment on the scene, Krystal Mange told police that Caroline Conway shot and killed her husband and shot her.
An investigation into the shooting revealed that the victims were involved in an ongoing heated child custody battle with former Prince George’s County Police Officer, Richard Conway, the son of Caroline Conway. On the day of the shooting, Robert and Krystal Mange were waiting in the McDonalds parking lot to exchange children with Richard Conway when Caroline Conway jumped into the vehicle. She had a gun in her hand and demanded that Robert and Krystal hand over their cellphones so that they were not able to call for help. Caroline Conway also forced Krystal Mange to call her son, Richard Conway and tell him that the meeting time and location for the children’s exchange would be changed. Fearing for himself, his wife and his unborn child, Robert Mange tried to disarm Caroline Conway at which point Caroline opened fire. Both Robert and Krystal fled the car. Robert fell to the ground by the driver side door. Caroline followed Robert out of the vehicle, stood over him and shot him three more times. Caroline then circled around the car looking for Krystal. Caroline found Krystal hiding on the other side of the car and shot her twice.
In addition to shooting both victims, she shot into at least two occupied vehicles that were in the McDonalds drive through line. While fleeing the scene, Conway changed her clothing appearance and later on disposed of the clothes and weapon used during the murder. She was later apprehended by officers at her home.
At sentencing Assistant State’s Attorney Francis J. Granados told the judge, “The defendant will continue to pose a danger to society, especially when it comes to her family. She poses a distinct threat to Krystal Mange. Someone who has no remorse and cannot acknowledge what they did was wrong cannot be rehabilitated. She thought about, planned, and executed the murder and attempted murder. Someone like that has no place in our society. Life without parole is the only sentence that does justice for Robert and Krystal Mange.”
State’s Attorney Tony Covington added, “One thing we certainly can’t condone in society is the actions we saw here. She wasn’t getting her way and she had her solution. Her solution did not work so she did the ultimate. Her and her son planned it and carried it out too. We hope the court incarcerates this person and keeps her away from trying to complete the job.”
Judge Platt told Conway during sentencing before imposing a life without parole sentence, “Your obsession continues and it is unclear at best whether any treatment can eliminate, let alone mitigate, it. The evidence is what it is. I don’t believe you didn’t know what you were doing. The obsession makes you dangerous.”
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, May 5, 2017, a Charles County jury convicted Deavan Quindel Jefferson, 20, of Second Degree Murder of Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Murder of Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., Possession of a Regulated Firearm under the age of 21, and the Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun Upon Their Person.
On October 26, 2016, officers responded to the AMC Loews Movie Theater located at the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., 18 of Waldorf, with a single gunshot wound to his head. The victim was flown to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
An investigation into the shooting revealed that Jefferson and the victim, who were acquaintances, first made contact at the area mall where Jefferson solicited the victim for marijuana. Jefferson and the victim then walked to a secluded area of the movie theater parking lot to complete the drug transaction. During the transaction, Jefferson and the victim got into a brief argument when Jefferson suddenly produced a handgun, shot the victim, and then fled the scene.
Two witnesses of the shooting were able to give a detailed description of the shooter to officers. Jefferson was apprehended that night.
A sentencing date has been set for July 10, 2017. Jefferson faces 55 years.
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, April 27, 2017, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Rodrigueze Lavon Nowlin, Jr., 22, to 25 years suspend all but 18 months for 3 counts of First Degree Assault and 18 months for the Possession of an Assault Rifle, which will run concurrent to the First Degree Assault charge. Nowlin was also sentenced to 10 years suspend all but 18 months for 2 counts of Second Degree Assault and 18 months for Reckless Endangerment, which will run consecutive to the First Degree Assault and Possession of an Assault Rifle charges. Nowlin was sentenced to a total of 3 years.
On April 9, 2016, an officer stationed in the 2000 block of Nantucket Drive in Waldorf was frantically approached by a person who reported seeing Nowlin carrying a AR-15 rifle towards a nearby recreation center. The officer subsequently responded to the location and witnessed Nowlin walking in the parking lot of the recreation center towards a side door with a rifle. The officer confronted Nowlin and was able to apprehend him on the scene without shots being fired.
An investigation revealed that Nowlin was attending his girlfriend’s baby shower at the recreational center when he was assaulted by an adult male guest. In response to the minor assault, Nowlin went outside to retrieve a AR-15 from his vehicle. Guests attending the baby shower witnessed Nowlin walking back to the center with the rifle and locked the doors to prevent entrance. After being unable to enter the interior door, he started walking towards the side entrance but was startled by the police officer’s quick arrival and attempted to hide himself and conceal the rifle he was carrying. The semi-automatic AR-15 was loaded with 27 rounds, was ready to fire and was reported stolen from North Carolina.
At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah K. Freeman, before making a recommendation to the Court, noted that the defendant’s Maryland Sentencing Guidelines were 4 years to 9 years. The guidelines are a sentencing guide for judges and generally signal what an appropriate sentence would be for a particular defendant given the defendant’s crime he is being sentenced for and his criminal history. Freeman recommended a 10 year sentence explaining that the terror this defendant produced warranted a sentence above or at the top of the defendant’s guidelines.
Covington commented that, “But for the timely arrival of Deputy McCue, Waldorf very well would have been the center of the national media’s universe because of this AR-15 toting defendant and the carnage he planned to create. His intent to harm everyone in that rec center was clear. They certainly felt terrorized and he should be severely punished for his inexcusable actions.”
On April 20, 2017, State’s Attorney Tony Covington was honored to speak at St. Charles High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. Congratulations to all of the students who have been inducted into the National Honors Society! Continue to exemplify the four pillars: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Keep up the great work! Read more
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Terelle Shawan Carroll, 17 of Nanjemoy, to 7 years for Conspiracy Theft Scheme $1,000-$10,000, 7 years for Theft $1,000-$10,000, 3 years for Rogue and Vagabond, and 5 years each for 4 separate counts of First Degree Burglary. All sentences will run concurrent to each other for a total of 7 years active time.
On December 9, 2015, officers conducting a search and seizure warrant at Carroll’s residence recovered two Apple iPods that were reported stolen from a motor vehicle. A separate search and seizure warrant was conducted to monitor the movements of a vehicle linked to a string of burglaries and thefts in Nanjemoy and surrounding areas. An investigation revealed that over a three month timespan, September 2015 through November 2015, Carroll was involved in several burglaries and theft from motor vehicles in Nanjemoy and surrounding areas, leading up to a burglary and sexual assault in Nanjemoy occurring on December 29, 2015 by Carroll.
Carroll was apprehended by officers on March 3, 2016 after he was positively linked by DNA to the sexual assault occurring on December 29, 2015. Carroll is currently serving a 27 year sentence for the First Degree Sex Offense charge resulting from that case. Carroll’s Burglary and Thefts sentences will run consecutively to the 27 year sentence he is currently serving.
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, Jaime Antonio Rivera, 27 of La Plata, entered an Alford Plea to the Sexual Offense in the Third Degree of Rosa Rosales.
On March 16, 2010, officers responded to the 12000 block of Country Lane in Waldorf for an unknown trouble call. On the scene, officers discovered the female victim who then reported being sexually assaulted by several males that evening. An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of March 15, 2010, the victim was offered a ride home from a nightclub in Northern Virginia by a male she met at the establishment. Upon entering the vehicle, the victim noticed several males also occupying the vehicle. The victim was subsequently taken to an unwanted location and brought into the downstairs area of a house with several other men. During a span of time, the victim was repeatedly threatened and sexually assaulted by various men. She was eventually able to escape that night and found refuge at a neighboring house, in which the resident called the police.
A sexual assault nurse examination was performed on the victim and evidence was collected and sent to the Maryland State Police Forensic Lab for analysis. However, Rivera was not identified until his DNA was collected and examined for a different sexual assault and rape charge. During the analysis process for the unrelated case, Rivera’s DNA was found to match the DNA recovered from Rosales’ examination.
Visiting Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Erik H. Nyce sentenced Rivera to 7 years, to run concurrent with a life plus 25 years sentence he received for a case involving the rape of a household member.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman discussing the importance of speaking out against sexual assault and resources available to victims at the College of Southern Maryland’s Diversity Insitute’s, in partnership with Center for Abused Persons, “Speak Up, Speak Out!” event on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on April 6, 2017, visiting Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Erik H. Nyce sentenced Jaime Antonio Rivera, 27 of La Plata, to life plus 25 years in prison for first degree rape and child sexual abuse.
During the week of June 6, 2016, the victim, who was under 13 years of age, told friends at school that she was being sexually assaulted by Jaime Rivera. Her friends subsequently reported the allegation to a school counselor, who notified the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Social Services. The victim was immediately taken to Charles County Regional Medical Center for a forensic exam, where it was revealed that she suffered physical traumatic injuries consistent with sexual assault.
An investigation revealed that over a four year period, the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, oftentimes by threatening to use or actually displaying a knife. The last sexual assault occurred a few days before she revealed the crimes to her friends.
Investigators recovered an article of the victims clothing. That clothing was submitted to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab for DNA analysis. That analysis revealed that there were body fluids found on the clothing and further analysis determined that the body fluids were that of the defendant.
At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney, Sarah Freeman told the judge that, “This particular case is extremely volatile and heinous; the victim has permanent physical and emotional scarring but her 8 year old sister also is permanently scarred, emotionally. Rape, should never happen let alone of an 11 year old, but to do so by waking up another child and having her move to the top bunk and subject her to the cries of the victim for the Defendant to stop, is unthinkable.“
Judge Nyce told Rivera during sentencing, “I presided over this case alongside Judge Greer. I do find that you are a sexually violent predator. Dr. Grant (the psychologist and forensic evaluator for Charles County) found that due to the heinous nature of this matter, you are at a higher risk for recidivism. The level of harm in this case was excessive. We are dealing with extreme mental and physical damage to a child who was in the comfort of her own home. I think about her vulnerability. Because of all of these factors, I believe it is appropriate to depart from the sentencing guidelines”.
Rivera has a separate case still pending in which he allegedly participated in a gang rape in 2010. That case is set for April 24, 2017.
