Month: August 2021

Not everyone knows that the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office is responsible for enforcing Maryland laws regarding child support.  In fact, the Office has a division staffed by an attorney and 3 support persons, dedicated solely to this function.

Since 2017, this unit has collected over $48,000,000 in support payments for the children of Calvert County.  Currently, the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office ranks #1 in the State of Maryland in the percentage of child support collected.

State’s Attorney Robert Harvey would like to congratulate Assistant State’s Attorney Tammy Lafferty, Paralegal Kathy Bowen and legal secretaries Joan Helms and Christine Wells for their outstanding work.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that on July 19, 2021, the Calvert County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Rodney Carlton Rance, 52, of Lusby, and Charles Henry Hall, II, 44, of Chaptico, with felony animal cruelty charges for their alleged involvement in a dogfighting operation.  Rance faces 40 counts of aggravated animal cruelty based on allegations that he engaged in dogfighting, maintained premises for dogfighting, and possessed equipment and dogs for use in fights.  Hall faces 7 counts of aggravated animal cruelty based on allegations that he engaged in a dogfight and transported dogs for fighting.  Trial dates have been set for January 10, 2022, in the Calvert County Circuit Court.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.

These charges are the result of a collaborative effort between the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary’s County Animal Control, Humane Rescue Alliance, and the Calvert County Animal Cruelty Task Force, comprised of members of the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.  The investigation into the alleged dogfighting operation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Sarah Jernigan of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that on August 9, 2021, Brian Cullen Sheridan of Lusby, received a sentence of 20 years imprisonment for the crime of sex abuse of a minor.  Sheridan also received an additional 4-year term for a violation of probation.

Sheridan was convicted by a jury following a trial in May.  The jury found that Sheridan inappropriately touched a 7-year-old girl after placing her on his lap.  The victim was able to get away and call her mother using the “Messenger Kids” app.  The victim reported the abuse and Sheridan was immediately arrested by Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies and held at the Calvert County Detention Center.

Sheridan will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.  He also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The case reflects the strong commitment of the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office to aggressively prosecute individuals who prey on the most vulnerable members of our community, our children.  Mr. Harvey wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Cordero for her outstanding work on the case.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that George Andrew Taylor, 36, of Waldorf, has pleaded guilty to committing a third degree sex offense involving a minor child.  In 2019, the child disclosed to her mother that Taylor, a family friend, had been touching her inappropriately.  During a forensic interview, the child also disclosed numerous instances of inappropriate contact that occurred in Charles County.  The most recent incident occurred in Calvert on Thanksgiving Day of 2019.  Taylor was charged in both counties.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 27, 2021, in Calvert County Circuit Court.  The Defendant is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years incarceration.  The case is being handled by Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Cordero.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that Marco J. Decesaris, III, 72, of Prince Frederick, MD, has pleaded guilty to being involved in a felony theft scheme.  Decesaris, the owner of Marco’s Quality Storage Buildings, LLC, took money from several County residents after agreeing to build them a shed.  He never built the shed, pocketed the money, and refused to issue a refund.  Through witness interviews and a review of bank records, the State’s Attorney’s Office was able to determine that since 2018, Decesaris stole a total of $14,995 in this manner.

Sentencing has been set for November 5, 2021, in Calvert County Circuit Court.  Decesaris is facing a maximum punishment of 5 years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine, plus restitution to his victims.  The case is being handled by Assistant State’s Attorney Benjamin G. Lerner.