Press Releases

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.”

State v. Caroline Marie Conway, K15-557

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, after 10 days of trial and two days of deliberations, a Charles County jury convicted Caroline Marie Conway, 53 of Waldorf, of 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 individuals. Also, despite her plea that she was Not Criminally Responsible for her conduct, the jury found her Criminally Responsible on all charges.

On May 20, 2015, officers responded to the Rock N’ Roll McDonalds located 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. Both victims were transported to an area hospital where Robert Mange was pronounced dead. Krystal Mange, though critically injured, survived. Her unborn child also survived.

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, Caroline Conway jumped into the vehicle of Robert and Krystal Mange and held the couple at gun point with what investigations revealed to be the service weapon registered to Richard Conway. Conway demanded that Robert and Krystal hand over their cellphones so that they were not able to call for help. Robert Mange interrupted Conway’s plan when he reached for the gun. Caroline Conway opened fire and shot the victims several times as they were trying to flee. In addition to shooting both victims, she shot into at least two occupied vehicles that were nearby. Conway then fled the scene and disposed of the clothes and weapon used during the murder. She was later apprehended by officers at her home after being identified by Krystal Mange as the shooter.

A sentencing date has not been set at this time. Conway faces four life sentences plus 100 years.  The State previously filed its Notice of Intent to Seek a Sentence of Life Imprisonment Without the Possibility of Parole.

State v. Joshua Terrell Mebane, K13-51

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, Joshua Terrell Mebane, 22, entered a guilty plea in front of Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier to First Degree Murder of Teresa Bass, Attempted Murder of Jerry Bass Jr., and Unlawful use of a Hand Gun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence Related to the First Degree Murder of Teresa Bass.

In 2012, Mebane was charged with the first-degree murder of Teresa Bass and the Attempted Murder of her husband Jerry Bass Jr. as the couple walked their dog in the Hampshire neighborhood of Waldorf. Officers working security at the Westlake football game that night 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.

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 less than 2 weeks prior to the murder of Mr. Muhammad. Mebane was arrested, charged and convicted of killing Mr. Muhammad.

In November of 2015, Mebane was sentenced to 45 years in prison for that killing. Mebane was housed in the District of Columbia while awaiting trial from 2012 until late last year when he was sent to a federal penitentiary to serve his sentence. Finally he was transported from that federal facility to Charles County.

A sentencing date has been set for January 6, 2017. Mebane faces two life sentence plus 20 years.

State v. Bryan Patrick Weyhenmeyer, K14-1274

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on November 10, 2016, Bryan Patrick Weyhenmeyer, 33 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea to First Degree Murder for the October 12, 2014 murder of his wife Jennifer Lynn Weyhenmeyer, 36 of Waldorf.

On October 12, 2014, Jennifer Weyhenmeyer made a frantic phone call to 911 as her husband, Bryan Weyhenmeyer drove erratically northbound on 301 near La Plata. She indicated that they were together in their car and that he had threatened her. Minutes later, the phone call ended abruptly.  Jennifer’s phone was subsequently found in the median strip of 301 in La Plata.

Approximately 10 minutes after the phone call ended, Jennifer Weyhenmeyer’s lifeless body was found by police in the rear parking area of the Pizza Hut in Waldorf Shoppers World shopping center. It was immediately evident to first responders that she had been struck and run over by a vehicle.  Closer inspection of her body showed that Ms. Weyhenmeyer appeared to have been run over multiple times.

The Ford Edge that the couple had been traveling in was found in the driveway of their home not long after Jennifer’s body was located. Officers observed what appeared to be blood on the outside of the Ford Edge. Weyhenmeyer was determined to be inside the home but he refused to come out of the house and barricaded himself in a bedroom.  The CCSO had to resort to firing a Co2 canister into the home before Weyhenmeyer surrendered to the police.  After his arrest, forensic evidence was gathered and it was determined that Jennifer’s blood, hair, and clothing fibers were found on the bumpers, undercarriage, tires, and doors of the Weyhenmeyer’s vehicle.

Sentencing is set for March 22, 2017 before Charles County Circuit Court Judge, Amy J. Bragunier. Weyhenmeyer faces a sentence of no less than 30 years but no more than 45 years incarceration.

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on September 23, 2016, Joshua Terrell Mebane, 21, was transported from a federal penitentiary to the Charles County Detention Center where he will be held during the adjudication of charges of First Degree Murder and Attempted Murder for events that occurred on October 26, 2012.

In 2012, Mebane was charged with the first-degree murder of Teresa Bass and the Attempted Murder of her husband Jerry Bass Jr. as the couple walked their dog in the Hampshire neighborhood of Waldorf. Officers working security at the Westlake football game that night 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.

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 less than 2 weeks prior to the murder of Mr. Muhammad. Mebane was arrested, charged and convicted of killing Mr. Muhammad.

In November of 2015 Mebane was sentenced to 45 years in prison for that killing. Mebane was housed in the District of Columbia while awaiting trial from 2012 until late last year when he was sent to a federal penitentiary to serve his sentence. Finally he was transported from that federal facility to Charles County to charges.

Mebane will be arraigned on Monday September 26, 2016 in the Circuit Court for Charles County.

State v. Jason Paul Arnold, K16-173

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on June 1, 2016, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced a former Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) Correctional Officer to 90 days in jail for having sexual relations with an inmate.

Jason Paul Arnold of La Plata, who recently resigned as a Correctional Officer with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, engaged in sexual acts with a female inmate while on duty at the jail. At his plea hearing, the State outlined the evidence against Arnold. In March of 2015, Arnold was escorting a female inmate to the vending area at the CCDC, he took the woman into a closet and the two engaged in sexual conduct, which included the woman performing fellatio on Arnold. Prior to this sexual encounter, Arnold had been exchanging notes of a sexual nature with the female inmate. According to the evidence described by the State, Arnold had at least one other sexual encounter with this same female inmate and also exchanged notes with other female inmates.

The charges came to light in July of 2015 and were investigated by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation was submitted to the State’s Attorney’s Office and the State’s Attorney issued the charges by way of a Criminal Information on March 1, 2016. Arnold was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began and eventually resigned prior to his plea of guilty and sentencing, both of which occurred on June 1, 2016.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney, Francis J. Granados told the judge, “The sentencing guidelines are probation to probation, but this is not a guidelines case. What type of message would it send to the community if an officer who abuses his power in this way is simply given probation, a slap on the wrist, and sent on his way? The State requests that the defendant have his rights and his liberties stripped away in the same way as the inmates whom he was entrusted to oversee. The defendant will be entrusted to a facility that will respect his rights and his dignity: something that he did not do for the victim in this case”.

Judge West, agreeing with Granados, told Arnold during sentencing, “I understand the guidelines are probation to probation, but that sentence doesn’t seem appropriate for the crime”. West said, “It is the expectation that people in a position of power are going to do the right thing and not prey on the vulnerable”.

“My thoughts are right in line with Judge West’s”, State’s Attorney Covington said. “This individual was placed in a position of trust. He, like all guards, had enormous control and power over all the inmates he oversaw. To take advantage of someone like that is flat out wrong, can’t be tolerated and should be punished. Judge West appropriately did so.” Covington said.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristen Williams, 301-932-3391

Williamk@charlescounty.org