Press Releases

Woman Gets Life Without Parole

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.”

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.

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.”