Press Releases

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.”

State v. Bryan Javier Aquice, C-08-CR-17-000054

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, July 27, 2018, Judge William R. Greer, Jr., sentenced Bryan Javier Aquice, 25, to a sentence of Life plus 50 years for the murder of Michael Beers and other related charges.

The Court imposed a sentence of Life for the murder of Mr. Beers and two 25 year sentences for the first degree assaults of Cheryl Krehling and Edward Glaze, Jr. All of the sentences are to run consecutively. Aquice was convicted by a Charles County jury on April 13, 2018 after 5 days of trial.

At that trial, some of the evidence the jury heard was the following: On January 12, 2016, officers responded to the 11500 block of Terrace Drive in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. While on the scene, officers found Michael Beers with multiple gunshot wounds to his body, as well as bruises and abrasions. Beers was pronounced dead on scene.

An investigation revealed that two masked men, one armed with a gun, arrived at the house earlier that evening in attempt to rob Beers. Upon entrance to the residence, the masked men discovered victim Edward Glaze, Jr., then physically assaulted him and demanded him to enter a room occupied by Beers and co-defendant Rena Crandell. Krehling, the owner of the residence, was also forced to enter the room with a gun to her head.

While in the room, a struggle ensued between Beers, Glaze, and both masked men. During the struggle, a ski-mask was removed from one of the men, revealing his face. Beers was shot multiple times at close range by the masked suspect during the struggle. The masked suspect was also shot during the struggle. The other occupants of the room were able to escape or remain unharmed. After shooting Beers, the two suspects, as well as Crandell, fled the scene together.

The ski mask that fell off during the struggle was sent to the Maryland State Police laboratory. Results from a DNA analysis of the mask were consistent with co-defendant Reigel Paul Wamack being present during the attempted robbery and murder. Wamack also fit the homeowner’s description of the unmasked man.

Aquice was identified as the masked shooter by Wamack’s testimony, which was corroborated by cell phone records, as well as medical records indicating Aquice went to the hospital within 12 hours of the murder to be treated for his injury.

During his argument that the Court should impose a life sentence, Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse, emphasizing the horror of this crime, told the judge that the Defendant, during a home-invasion robbery, shot Beers in the leg to compel him to give up the money they wanted.  He and his co-defendant physically fought with the victim and then the defendant executed the man by shooting him at point blank range in the head.  He also emphasized that Aquice could have stopped at any time – instead he killed a father of three in the most violent way imaginable.  The defendant, by his malicious, premeditated action, has earned and deserves a life sentence.

Covington, commenting on the Court’s sentence said, “I have long believed that anyone found guilty by a jury of First Degree Murder should forfeit his right to walk around this planet as a free man.  The Court’s sentence ensures this convicted murderer will be behind bars for the rest of his days. That is how it should be – that is justice.”

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State v. Charles Leon Thompson, Jr., K17-240

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, June 29, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Charles Leon Thompson, Jr., 34 of Waldorf, to 40 years in prison for Armed Robbery and Use of a Handgun During the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

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 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 three suspects also exited the establishment. 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.

Video surveillance and witness testimony identified co-defendant Anthony Deangelo Wilkins as being involved in the armed robbery and shooting. A further investigation revealed Wilkins as the shooter and identified Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. as an accomplice to the shooting and the armed robbery in the bathroom.

Thompson entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges in Charles County Circuit Court in front of the Honorable Judge H. James West on December 4, 2017.

While commenting on the imposed sentence, Covington said, “The sentence laid down by the Court was fair and reasonable given the senseless killing of an innocent bystander in this case. Incapacitating violent robbers and murderers by jailing them, is the only truly proven way of reducing violent crime on our streets. This sentence takes a dangerous person off the streets for a significant time period. That is a good thing.”

On Friday, June 15, 2018 the State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) held its fourth annual awards dinner. The purpose of this event is to recognize the contributions of the dedicated men and women of the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Also, the State’s Attorney recognizes members of partner agencies for their contribution to the SAO’s twofold mission of punishing the guilty and protecting the innocent.  This year the State’s Attorney also presented awards for Community Service and Community Vigilance to citizens of the County.

Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office Support Staff of the Year Award:

Alexandra Posey

Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office Assistant State’s Attorney of the Year Award:  Francis Granados

The Community Service Award:  Terrence Byrd received the Community Service Award for his diligent efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of youth in our county through team sports. Through the Westlake Youth Athletic Organization, Mr. Byrd has helped countless youths develop discipline and teamwork that helps prepare them for life.

The Bald Eagle Force Award: Given to a team of people who worked tirelessly to bring Carlos Bell, a predatory child abuser, to justice.  Those team members were:

Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah K. Freeman

Maryland State Police Sergeant William Jenkins,

Charles County Sheriff Officers:

Detective/Master Sergeant Timothy Miner, Detective/Sergeant Andrew Schwab, Detective Kristen Clark, Detective Jeffery Feldman, Detective Charles Garner, Detective Christina Gilroy, Detective George Higgs, Detective John Long, Corporal Patrick Mann, Detective Ryan Smith, PFC. Amy Upshaw, Detective Edward Webster, Detective Rochelle Williams

Charles County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services agents:

Chelsea Glover and Kara Finamore

Detective of the Year Award:

Detective Elizabeth Clark of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Patrolman of the Year Award

Pfc. Samuel Hooper of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

State’s Attorney Tony Covington said he was “[V]ery pleased to recognize individuals that have done so much to further the mission of this office.  Presenting these awards is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work.  Prosecutors and police, and those folks that support their efforts, simply don’t get enough recognition. That is what tonight is all about.”