Press Releases

State v. Claude William Brown, Jr., C-08-CR-19-000158

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, August 8, 2019, Claude William Brown, Jr., 69 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Following his guilty plea, Judge Bragunier sentenced Brown to 10 years in prison.

On February 6, 2019, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office made contact with one of the juvenile victims at her residence. The victim (Victim 1), a relative of Brown, reported being touched several times by Brown under her clothing and between her legs, with the most recent incident happening earlier that month in a bathroom at Brown’s residence. Victim 1 was seven years old at the time of the latest assault.

Officers learned of a second juvenile victim (Victim 2), also a family member of Brown, that reported being inappropriately touched on her private area by Brown once, prior to Victim 1’s assault. Victim 2 was under ten years old at the time that Brown assaulted her.

During the investigation, an adult relative reported being inappropriately touched by Brown, prompting her to tell another family member, who then talked to both juvenile victims and became knowledgeable of the assaults.

Brown turned himself in on February 6, 2019 and admitted to assaulting both juveniles.

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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 Monday, July 29, 2019, Marquis Deangelo Swann, 25 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to three counts of First-Degree Assault. Swann also admitted to a violation of probation for a prior conviction.

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. A sentencing date for Butler-Charles has been scheduled for July 31, 2019.

A sentencing date for Swann has been scheduled for October 9, 2019.

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State v. Damarco Rashord Hall, C-08-CR-18-000894

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Damarco Rashord Hall, 21 of Waldorf, to 18 years suspend all but 8 years for First-Degree Assault and Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun.

Hall previously entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges on May 31, 2019 in Charles County Circuit Court.

On August 15, 2018, officers responded to Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Waldorf to meet with a victim of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers made contact with victim Omar Catoe, who reported that an unknown suspect, later identified as Hall, shot at his vehicle multiple times on Slater Drive in Waldorf. Alexis Coates was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Catoe was operating a rental vehicle with Coates as his passenger. Catoe was dropping off Coates at a residence on Slater Drive when Hall approached the vehicle and attempted to open the front passenger door. In fear, Catoe accelerated the vehicle in reverse and began fleeing to the area of Poplar Hill Road. As Catoe was fleeing, Hall produced a gun and shot towards the vehicle at least twice, striking it once. Catoe was able to drop off Coates at a residence on Poplar Hill Road, then meet with officers at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. Fortunately, no one was injured during the shooting.

Hall, who was previously in a relationship with Coates, was developed as a suspect during the course of the investigation and admitted to the shooting, stating that he and Coates were on bad terms during the time of the incident.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen told the judge that the victim was “really affected” by the incident. She furthered that the offense was “very serious. This could’ve gone very differently had the victims been struck.”

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

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, July 8, 2019, Raymund Antoine Bradford, 42, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to Armed Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

On March 21, 2018, officers responded to Drive In Liquors 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^st, Bradford entered Drive In Liquors 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 knife was submitted for DNA analysis, which identified Bradford as the suspect.

A sentencing date has been set for September 26, 2019. Bradford faces 40 years in prison.

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State v. Dominic Xavier Daniel, K17-487

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Dominic Xavier Daniel, 26 of Waldorf, to life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Samuel Gemeny, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence in relation to the murder of Samuel Gemeny, and the First-Degree Assault of Allison Hofman.

Daniel previously entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges on February 25, 2019 in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier.

On May 16, 2017, officers responded to an apartment complex located in the 3400 block of Promenade Place in Waldorf for the report of a home invasion and shooting. Upon arrival, officers found victim Gemeny suffering with a gunshot wound to his neck. Officers also made contact with victim Hofman, who was suffering with non-life-threatening injuries. Gemeny was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of May 16, 2017, the victims were inside of their apartment when Hofman heard knocking at the front door. Hofman looked through the peephole of the door but did not see anyone outside of the apartment. In an effort to see if someone had knocked and walked away, she opened the front door. At that time, Daniel, as well as co-defendants Morgan Tyrone Rich, Jr. and Dominique Ariel Grant, forced entry into the apartment. None of the suspects concealed their faces and Hofman immediately recognized Daniel and Grant as acquaintances of her and Gemeny.

Daniel, who briefly lived at the apartment prior to the incident, wielded an assault rifle and pointed it directly at Hofman, demanding to know where a mattress was that he had while living in the apartment. He also demanded to know the whereabouts of Gemeny. Rich and Grant demanded money. Gemeny, who was in the master bedroom during the initial confrontation, approached the suspects undetected and hit Daniel in the back of the head with an iPad. Daniel then turned toward Gemeny and shot him at close range. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the area with three other co-defendants.

During the incident, Rich grabbed Hofman by her throat and slammed her into a counter, which caused injury to her back.
At Daniel’s sentencing, State’s Attorney Constance Kopelman addressed the Court, “This crime is so senseless. It cannot be tolerated. The only sentence that makes sense is life. – [The defendant’s actions] caused a fear that is never going to leave [Hofman]. People should be able to feel safe in their own homes. She had to see her boyfriend’s life taken in front of her. – The defendant robbed the victim [of his future] because he was angry over a bed, a bong, and $80.”

Also on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, co-defendant Rich, 29 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in front of the Honorable Judge H. James West to the Felony Murder of Samuel Gemeny, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence in relation to the murder of Samuel Gemeny, and the First-Degree Assault of Allison Hofman. Immediately following his plea, he was sentenced to life suspend all but 40 years in prison.

On June 5, 2018, co-defendant Grant entered a guilty plea to Felony Murder in front of the Honorable Judge H. James West. A sentencing date for Grant has been scheduled for August 28, 2019.

The remaining co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2019. Two of the co-defendants have entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Burglary; the remaining co-defendant entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion.

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LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, a Charles County jury, after a 7-day trial, convicted Nicholas Jabbar Williams, 22 of Waldorf, of Second-Degree Murder of Cameron Townsend and related gun charges.

During the evening hours of December 14, 2017, officers responded to the 1000 block of Spruce Street in Waldorf after receiving several reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Cameron Townsend lying unresponsive on the side of the road in front of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. A witness close to the scene of the incident reported seeing someone standing over the deceased before leaving and observed a dark-colored passenger car speed away from the area of the deceased after hearing the gunshots.

An investigation revealed that earlier that day, Williams picked up Townsend and two other men in his black Hyundai Accent and traveled with them to Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. before returning to Charles County. Around 8 p.m., Williams dropped two of the men off at one of their residences in Waldorf; however, Townsend remained in the front passenger seat of Williams’ vehicle. Williams then drove Townsend to a separate neighborhood in Waldorf, where approximately 20 minutes after dropping off the other men, Williams shot Townsend seven times while he was in his vehicle, dragged his body out of the vehicle, and left it on the side of the road before fleeing the scene.

Two days later, officers executed a search and seizure warrant at Williams’ residence and in his vehicle. During the search, officers discovered a shell casing in Williams’ car matching shell casings found at the scene of the incident, as well as a bullet that was lodged in the car door. Blood was also found inside of the vehicle matching Townsend’s DNA. Additionally, a shoe found inside of Williams’ residence was discovered to have Townsend’s blood DNA on the bottom.

Williams will be sentenced in September.  He faces up to 47 years in prison.

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State v. Jeremy James Chenette, C-08-CR-17-000317

 LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, June 17, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Jeremy James Chenette, 33 of Indian Head, to 16 years in prison, and an additional 84 years of suspended time, for 4 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

On May 15, 2018, Chenette entered a guilty plea to the above listed charges in Charles County Circuit Court in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier.

On September 9, 2017, the juvenile victim and an adult relative went to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in Waldorf to report Chenette for sexual abuse. The victim told officers that Chenette sexually assaulted him multiple times over the course of a few months.

An investigation revealed that Chenette repeatedly performed oral sex on the victim, as well as engaged in other sexual acts with him. The victim eventually reported the abuse to his mother; however, authorities were not contacted immediately. After the victim’s mother and other relatives confronted Chenette, the abuse ended. The victim was 14 years old at the time of the assaults; Chenette was 31.

During the course of the investigation, officers were able to locate a video depicting the victim receiving oral sex from Chenette on Chenette’s cell phone. Chenette also admitted to sexually assaulting the victim.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Constance B. Kopelman, asking for a 30-year sentence, told the judge, “When you look at the devastating effect it had on the victim, this cannot be excused. [The defendant did] multiple acts that the victim cannot forget. There was a grooming pattern. He took advantage of the victim. He knew it was wrong. – It’s shocking, it’s horrible, and he should receive a serious penalty.”

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State v. Deangelo Hemsley, K16-497

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, June 14, 2019, after a two-part, bifurcated trial, a Charles County jury found Deangelo Hemsley, 42 of Waldorf, criminally responsible for the First-Degree Murder of John Yates, Home Invasion, First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Kidnapping, and False Imprisonment.

Hemsley was previously convicted of the aforementioned charges on June 12, 2019 by members of the jury. After establishing his guilt, jurors then found that Hemsley was criminally responsible for committing the acts in a separate proceeding, despite his plea of not criminally responsible.

On April 23, 2016, officers responded to the 12800 block of Yates Place in La Plata for the report of a person with a weapon. When officers arrived, they located victim John Yates suffering from several stab wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers also found Hemsley, Yates’ son-in-law, attempting to escape the area; however, he was apprehended that night.

An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of April 23rd, Hemsley made entry into Yates’ residence yielding a knife and bar. Yates’ family was present at the time and did not expect Hemsley’s arrival. After entrance, Hemsley demanded to know where his daughter, who was inside of the residence, was located. Hemsley then asked for the location of Yates, who was in a lower level. Within seconds of receiving Yates’ location from a family member, Hemsley went to Yates and immediately began attacking him with the knife, stabbing him multiple times and causing deep lacerations in the face and neck area. Hemsley’s then 12 year-old-daughter and a 15-year-old juvenile were present during parts of the attack.

After stabbing Yates, Hemsley grabbed his daughter’s hand and put her in his vehicle. Thankfully, she was able to escape through a window and run to safety back inside of the residence, barricading herself in a room with a dresser.

A DNA analysis conducted on the knife used in the assault revealed that it contained both Hemsley’s and Yates’ DNA. Hemsley also had Yates’ blood still on his clothing while being apprehended.

A sentencing date has been set for September 5, 2019.

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State v. Delontre James Austin, C-08-CR-18-000315

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, May 9, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Delontre James Austin, 23, to 15 years in prison and an additional 5 years of suspended time for Second Degree Child Abuse and Neglect of a Minor. Upon release, Austin will be on supervised probation for a period of 5 years.

On January 15, 2019, Austin entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges in Charles County Circuit Court.

On March 28, 2018, officers responded to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. after receiving a report of suspected abuse of a 5-month-old victim. Upon arrival, officers learned that the baby was being treated for life-threatening injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, and suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, swelling, and bruising. Thankfully, the victim survived, however, with severe, lasting injuries. Officers also made contact with Austin in the hospital and the mother of the child. During their communications, Austin eventually told officers that he tossed the baby in a pack ‘n play.

An investigation revealed that during the morning hours of March 27, 2018, Austin was alone with the victim and another child. Austin was awakened to the victim crying. When the victim continued crying, Austin became frustrated and reportedly tossed the victim to the bottom of her pack ‘n play. Austin did not call for help and eventually went to work when the mother of the victim returned home. A call was later placed to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for concern over the condition of the victim. EMS then responded to the 4100 block of Falcon Place in Waldorf and transported the victim to the hospital.

Austin was apprehended on March 29, 2018, following a court hearing.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman addressed the Court, “This is an above guidelines case. There is no excuse for the amount of force; there is no excuse for the amount of injury to a 5-month-old child because [she] was crying, and the defendant should definitely be sentenced accordingly.”

Before sentencing Austin above guidelines, Judge Bragunier told him, “I know it’s not easy to live with yourself. I do agree that you are not a public safety threat, but only to an innocent 5-month-old baby who was annoying you and crying. You snapped. The injuries [the victim] endured were caused by anger [and] force beyond comprehension.”

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State v. Ijaaz Butler, C-08-CR-18-000353

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, April 29, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Ijaaz Butler, 26, to 12 years in prison for Home Invasion and Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion. The sentence imposed today in Charles County Circuit Court will run consecutive to a 12-year sentence previously imposed for a similar crime in Calvert County, for a total of 24 years in prison.

On October 10, 2018, Butler entered a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges.

On March 19, 2018, officers responded to the 2800 block of Homette Place in Waldorf for the report of a home invasion. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victim Melissa Lewis, who had visible injuries. Lewis stated that two male suspects forced entry into her home, assaulted her, and demanded money.

A further investigation revealed that Lewis received a large sum of money prior to the home invasion. On the day of the incident, the victim was asleep on a couch in her home when Butler and the other male suspect, who the victim later identified as co-defendant William Gary Edwards, entered with their faces partially covered. Butler and Edwards physically assaulted the victim and asked her where the money was located; however, the victim refused to reveal where it was. The victim’s three young children were also present inside of the residence. While ransacking the home, Butler banged on the door of the children’s rooms while the victim was being held down by Edwards.

After a few minutes inside the residence, Butler and Edwards dragged the victim outside to search her vehicle. While outside, they assaulted the victim – to include dousing her with gasoline – until she was unconscious. Butler and Edwards then fled in a getaway vehicle operated by co-defendant Brandy Lynn Deluca.

Shortly after leaving, Deluca hit a mailbox and was stopped by an officer for a traffic violation. It was discovered during the stop that the occupants of the vehicle were involved in the home invasion. All three suspects, including Butler, were subsequently apprehended.

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse, asking for the maximum consecutive sentence, told the judge that he hopes the victim “can feel safe again in her own home with her kids” after the terrifying incident.

On Wednesday, January 30, 2019, co-defendant Brandy Deluca was sentenced by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West to 7 years in prison.

On Thursday, February 21, 2019, co-defendant William Gary Edwards was also sentenced by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West to 10 years in prison, consecutive to a 2-year sentence previously imposed for a similar crime in Calvert County, for a total of 12 years in prison.

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