News

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, March 2, 2017, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Akeem Rashad Harrington, 22 of Waldorf, to 48 years with all but 28 years suspended for 12 Counts of Reckless Endangerment, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Production Equipment, and 2 counts of Possession of a Regulated Firearm.

On May 15, 2016, officers responded to the 3500 block of Threshfield Street in White Plains after a report of an assault. An investigation revealed that occupants of a vehicle traveling in the neighborhood got into an altercation with partygoers attending a resident’s graduation party over a blocked roadway. The occupants of the vehicle left before officers arrived. Later that evening, one of the occupants of the vehicle returned with Harrington to the residence. Three shots were fired at one man standing on the porch to the house.  The front door was kicked in and multiple shots were fired into the occupied home. Thankfully, none of the victims, including children, were struck.

Harrington was apprehended two days later by officers, who also found a large quantity of marijuana that Harrington attempted to discard before arrest.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse told the judge, “When these things like this happen in our community, it is incumbent upon the system to prosecute and sentence violent individuals accordingly.”

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Thursday, February 2, 2017, a Charles County jury convicted Kenny Earl Morris, 55, formerly of Waldorf, of First Degree Assault of Tyrone Jeter and Second Degree Assault of Tyrone Jeter. Morris was previously tried and convicted for the stated charges, but the case was overturned due to a legal technicality.

On January 31, 2014, officers responded to the 1500 block of Bryan Court in Waldorf for a report of an assault. On the scene, officers found one adult victim, Tyrone Jeter, 59 of Waldorf, suffering from stab wounds inside of his townhouse. The victim was then transported to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

An investigation into the assault revealed that the victim, an acquaintance of Kenny Morris, was stabbed several times after an argument over a neighborhood parking space. On the day of the assault, Tyrone Jeter parked in an unreserved parking space in front of the townhouse complex where both he and Morris lived, later resulting in a verbal confrontation between Morris and Jeter inside of Morris’ townhome. When the argument escalated, Morris punched the victim and stabbed him several times. After the attack, Jeter escaped to his townhome where he discovered a knife blade in his neck and called for help. Kenny Morris was apprehended by officers that night.

At sentencing, which also occurred on February 2, 2017, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman told Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West, “We’ve been here two times because of Kenny Morris’ lack of control.” Judge West agreeing, commented “the level of violence over something so petty is nonsensical.”

Judge H. James West sentenced Kenny Morris to 20 years suspend all but 9 years.

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, a Charles County jury convicted Jaime Antonio Rivera, age 26, of First Degree Rape, two counts of Second Degree Rape, and Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

During the week of June 6, 2016, the victim, who was under 18 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.

Assistant State’s Attorney, Sarah Freeman commented on the jury’s verdict stating, “These cases happen all too often. I am gratified that the jury saw the truth and that this youngster’s courage and refusal to remain a victim resulted in a just verdict. It takes tremendous courage to face someone in court who, for years, abused you.”

A sentencing date has been set for April 6, 2017. He faces life plus 115 years. Rivera also 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.

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, January 6, 2017, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Joshua Terrell Mebane, 22, to two consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for the First Degree Murder of Teresa Bass, the Attempted Murder of Jerry Bass Jr., and the Unlawful Use of a Hand Gun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First Degree Murder of Teresa Bass.

On October 26, 2012, Mebane shot both Jerry and Teresa Bass as the couple walked their dog in the Hampshire neighborhood of Waldorf.  Officers working security at the Westlake football game heard several gunshots and were on the scene within a minute. Teresa Bass was taken by ambulance to Civista Medical Center in La Plata, where she died. Jerry Bass Jr. was flown to an area hospital, where he was at one point listed in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds to his back.  He survived but suffered serious health issues that took months to overcome.

Mebane was developed as a suspect in the Bass shootings during the investigation of the murder of cab driver Quadar Muhammad, 44, in Washington DC on November 7, 2012. During that investigation Mebane was identified as the shooter of Mr. and Mrs. Bass. In late 2015, Mebane was convicted and sentenced to 45 years imprisonment for the killing of Mr. Muhammad.

At sentencing for the Bass shootings, Assistant State’s Attorney, Tiffany L. Campbell told the judge, “Outside of the vicious and heinous facts of this case, Mebane’s actions after the murder warrants the maximum sentence that you can impose here.”

After imposing the maximum sentence for his crimes, Judge Bragunier agreed with Campbell, stating, “This is the only sentence I believe is appropriate and just.”

State’s Attorney Covington commenting on the sentence said, “Although it took years of waiting, Teresa and Jerry’s families finally saw justice done today.  Given Mebane’s crimes and total lack of remorse, this young man should never walk the earth again as a free man. That may sound harsh but – in this case – it is just.”