News

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

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Tanesha Renea Williams, 26, of Waldorf, to 40 years, 283 days, with all but 4 years and 100 days suspended. Williams will serve her time in jail for 18 months, followed by 2 years on home detention. Williams will then be on supervised probation for 5 years.

On October 4, 2021, Williams plead guilty to one count of First-Degree Assault, four counts of Second-Degree Assault, and one count of Malicious Destruction of Property.  For those counts, the defendant was subject to a maximum sentence of 68 years incarceration.

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 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.

The prosecutor for the case said during sentencing, “This incident was totally unnecessary and egregious. The defendant could have more seriously hurt or killed [the victims]. – The whole thing is about food, a dispute over whether you can order through the drive-thru or the app. It goes to show how senseless the situation is.”

Because one of the victims has not completed medical treatment due to injuries caused by Williams, the Court will hold a restitution hearing at a future date to determine the amount of restitution to be paid by Williams.

Sentence

Count 13

• Malicious Destruction of Property
• 60 days
• Credit for time served

Count 12

• Second-Degree Assault
• 223 days
• Credit for time served
• Consecutive to count 13

Count 1

• First-Degree Assault
• 10 years, suspend all but 18 months at Charles County Detention Center
• Consecutive to counts 13 and 12

Count 4

• Second-Degree Assault
• 10 years, all suspended
• Consecutive to counts 13, 12, 1, 6, and 9

Count 6

• Second-Degree Assault
• 10 years, suspend all but 1 year to be served on home detention
• Consecutive to 13, 12, and 1

Count 9

• Second-Degree Assault
• 10 years, suspend all but 1 year to be served on home detention
• Consecutive to counts 13, 12, 1, and 6

###

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Christian Camron Keys, 22, to 7 years in prison for First-Degree Assault and Possession of a Regulated Firearm Under the Age of 21. Upon release, Keys will be on supervised probation for three years.

On December 10, 2021, Keys entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.

On October 22, 2020, officers responded the 10000 block of Whittle Court in Waldorf for the report of a suspect shooting. Upon arrival, officers spoke with William Dillard, who stated that Keys drove past his residence and pointed a gun at him. Keys then fled the location, striking two vehicles in the process.

An investigation revealed that around 1 p.m. that afternoon, prior to the incident, Keys was arguing with his girlfriend, Daijon Owens, at the listed residence. During the argument, Keys bit Owens on the mouth, causing her to bleed. He then left. Keys arrived back at the residence around 2 p.m. and began speaking with Owens again. Owens’ mother intervened in the conversation. Dillard arrived home shortly after and saw that Keys was speaking with his wife outside. When the conversation was over, Dillard asked Keys what they were talking about. In response, Keys said “I got something for you,” then left the residence in his Chevy Impala. After some time passed, Dillard observed Keys’ vehicle return to the neighborhood and make a left onto the next street. During this time, Dillard’s daughter and six-year-old granddaughter were walking to a vehicle parked outside of the residence. Dillard then observed Keys make a U-turn with his vehicle to proceed back to his residence. The driver’s side window was down on the Chevy Impala and Keys pointed a gun towards Dillard, his daughter, and granddaughter. Dillard ran to grab his daughter and granddaughter and instructed them to go inside of the residence. Keys then fled the location, striking two vehicles while leaving.

Keys was apprehended that day. He was identified by multiple witnesses.

Sentence

Count 5

• First-Degree Assault
• 25 Years Suspend All But 7 Years in Prison
• 3 Years Supervised Probation

Count 8

• Possession of a Regulated Firearm Under the Age of 21
• 5 years in Prison
• Concurrent with Count 5

###

State v. Deon Lennard Johnson, C-08-CR-19-000855

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, December 10, 2021, a Charles County jury found Deon Lennard Johnson, 26, of La Plata, guilty of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, two counts of First-Degree Assault, and related charges.

On October 2, 2019, officers responded to the 2700 block of Port Tobacco Road in Nanjemoy for the report of a home invasion. As one officer was pulling into the driveway of the residence, he observed a suspect, later determined to be Johnson, running away from one of the victims. Victim 1 was suffering from stab wounds to her head and shoulder. She reported to the officer that her mother was inside of the residence. When officers entered the residence, they discovered her mother, Victim 2, suffering from a stab wound to her neck. Both victims were flown to the Prince George’s County Hospital Center for treatment. Fortunately, they both survived the assault.

An investigation revealed that Johnson had a romantic relationship with Victim 1 that ended prior to the day of the incident. Victim 2 obtained a peace order as a result of Johnson’s unpredictable behavior and repeated trips to their residence uninvited. On the day of the incident, Johnson forced entry into the victims’ residence through prying a window open with a prybar. Johnson began stabbing Victim 2 repeatedly with a knife. Victim 1 ran out of the residence to seek assistance from a neighbor; however, she was followed by Johnson. Johnson tried to force her to leave with him multiple times, but she refused. He then stabbed her repeatedly after hearing sirens in the distance.  Upon police arrival, Johnson was observed standing over Victim 1, who ran to the police.  Johnson fled into the woods. He left his cell phone, prybar, and bookbag on the property.

Victim 1 suffered over 20 stab wounds. Victim 2 suffered over 10 stab wounds.

A sentencing date has been set for March 14, 2022. Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 58 years and 3 months.

Guilty

• Attempted Second-Degree Murder
• Two counts of First-Degree Assault
• Fourth-Degree Burglary
• Violation of Peace Order

 “Drive Sober” Billboard displayed on Northbound Route 301.

LA PLATA, MD— The State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) is bringing awareness to the grave dangers of driving impaired, as well as helping the public take preventative measures for its “Drive Sober” initiative. The “Drive Sober” initiative will run during the holiday season – November 18, 2021 through January 1, 2022 – which is one of the deadliest times on the roadways due to drunk driving.

To kick off the initiative, the SAO released a “Drive Sober” billboard featuring victim Ethan Ruefly, a 3-month-old infant killed by a drunk driver in Charles County. In addition, the SAO has partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to spread awareness of their “Tie One on for Safety” campaign.

To encourage safe roadway practices, the SAO has committed to the distribution of:

• Over 300 keychain breathalyzers
• Rideshare gift cards
• Non-alcoholic drink vouchers to designated drivers

Citizens of Charles County will be able to pick up any of these preventative measures on Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the “Shop La Plata” event in the Town of La Plata for Small Business Saturday.

Further information on the effects of impaired driving and the “Drive Sober” initiative can be found on the SAO’s website, www.ccsao.us/drivesober.

###

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

###

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.

###

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

###

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 

###