Month: July 2021

Robert Harvey, Calvert County State’s Attorney, wants to alert customers of AT&T/DirecTV to a possible scam that is occurring in our community.  Some customers have received official-looking materials in the mail telling them that their bill is going to be increased by $12 per month unless they call a specified telephone number.  When the number is called, the user is asked to provide a social security number.  This is a scam!  AT&T/DirecTV never asks for a social security number and is not sending these documents in the mail.  If you receive such a letter, do not fall for this trick.  You should immediately report postal fraud to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report or by calling 1-877-876-2455.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that John Michael Anderson Wood, 21, of Lusby, has been sentenced for his role in a 2019 shooting that left a woman seriously injured.  Wood received a total of 14 years active incarceration for felony first degree assault, use of a handgun, and related charges.  He will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least half of his sentence.

In October 2019, Wood and co-defendant Dru Sultzaberger were at a party when Sultzaberger became involved in an altercation.  They left, armed themselves with handguns, and drove to the victim’s residence.  They fired several shots into the victim’s vehicle, one of which struck the victim in the face.  Fortunately, she survived her injuries.

Sultzaberger previously pleaded guilty and received 17 years imprisonment.  State’s Attorney Harvey wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Lee Ann Bell and Detective Ted Yates of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding work on this case.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that Christopher Fuller, 35, of Dunkirk, MD has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, Causing Life-Threatening Injury While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and two counts of Second Degree Assault.  He will be sentenced August 16, 2021.

On December 23, 2020, members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to West Chesapeake Beach Road and Journey Drive for a serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Hyundai Elantra operated by Fuller was traveling west on Chesapeake Beach Road when it struck the rear of a 2012 Ford Escape operated by Kerri Lyn Clark, 50, of Chesapeake Beach, MD.  The impact caused the Escape to lose control and cross into oncoming traffic.  The Escape then rolled and struck a 2013 Honda CR-V operated by Lisa Ballard Porter, 37, of Owings, MD.  The impact caused the Escape to become airborne and leave the roadway.  The Escape went over the guardrail and down an embankment where it came to rest on the eastbound side of Chesapeake Beach Road.  Fuller continued driving westbound until his vehicle was stopped by an off-duty Maryland National Capital Park Police officer.  Paramedics responded to the scene and located Ms. Clark who had succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.  Ms. Porter was transported from the scene by helicopter to the Prince George’s County shock trauma unit where she was treated for life-threatening injuries.

Deputies made contact with Fuller and immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath.  Members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department attempted to assist Fuller out of the vehicle during which time he became argumentative and spit in the face of a firefighter.  Corporal Newcomer of the Maryland State Police attempted to restrain Fuller and in response Fuller spit in Corporal Newcomer’s eye.  Fuller was eventually placed into custody and transported to CalvertHealth Medical Center where a specimen of his blood was taken.  A forensic analysis of the specimen revealed the Fuller’s blood alcohol level was .17 – over twice the legal limit – following the crash.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Fuller’s vehicle was traveling 81 mph in a posted 50 mph zone at the time of the crash.  Investigators also determined that Fuller was at fault for the crash which took the life of Ms. Clark and caused Ms. Porter to suffer life-threatening injuries.

The State’s Attorney’s Office wishes to commend members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.  A special thanks is extended to Senior Deputy Hardesty and Corporal Bortchevsky of the Calvert County Crash Reconstruction Team for their efforts in leading this investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.

On July 6, 2021, Donald Allen Hayes, 31, of Lusby, MD, pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Fourth Degree Sexual Offense, Display of Obscene Item to a Minor, and Solicitation of Child Pornography.  He will be sentenced October 1, 2021.

In December 2020, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sexual assault involving a 13 year old victim.  A forensic interview of the child revealed that she spent a weekend in August at Hayes’ residence for a sleepover with his daughter.  At that time, Hayes sexually assaulted the minor victim and then asked her not to tell anyone.  He also gave her Vape products.  After the sexual assault, Hayes initiated further contact with the victim via Snapchat and purchased her Vape cartridges and food items.  Hayes would leave these items in the driveway of her family home.  The victim told a friend initially, but did not disclose this to authorities until December of 2020.

During the investigation, another minor victim, age 16, was identified.  This victim was contacted by Hayes via Snapchat.  The victim did not previously know him.  During their conversations, Hayes built a connection with the child by flirting with her, complimenting her looks and offering to bring her Vapes and food.  Between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020, Hayes and the victim communicated daily on Snapchat.  Hayes sent the victim numerous explicit photographs of himself and repeatedly requested that the victim send him nude photographs, which she refused.  Hayes also requested that she engage in sexual acts with him, which she also refused.  Hayes would bring Vapes, food and other gifts to the victim’s home when she was home alone.

In Fall of 2020, Hayes went to a location in Lusby, Maryland, to bring a gift to the victim.  When the victim went to the car, Hayes sexually assaulted her.  Hayes was subsequently charged and arrested.

On January 21, 2021, Hayes was interviewed by Sheriff’s Office Detectives and confessed to sexually assaulting both victims.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero.