Year: 2021

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.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey today announced that Anthony Wayne Crusoe, II, 26, of Prince Frederick, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree assault.  The charge carries a maximum punishment of 25 years imprisonment.

The incident occurred on November 1, 2020, at the Park and Ride located on Fairgrounds Road in Prince Frederick.  On that date, the victim arranged to meet with two females for purposes of engaging in sexual activity.  As the victim was sitting in his vehicle with the females, Crusoe approached with a knife and announced a robbery.  A struggle ensued and both the victim and Crusoe were cut.  Crusoe fled the scene with the two females and was taken to Calvert Health Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.  The victim was also treated at the same hospital.

It was later determined that Crusoe conspired with the females to set-up the victim and rob him of his property, including his cell phone.  The females admitted to their role in the conspiracy.

Sentencing for Mr. Crusoe is set for July 30, 2021.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney James Zafiropulos.

State’s Attorney Robert Harvey today announced the resumption of criminal jury trials in Calvert County Circuit Court.  Jury trials had been on hold since March, 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On May 12, 2021, Brian Cullen Sheridan, 42, of Lusby, was convicted by a jury of felony sex abuse of a minor and related charges.  The trial, presided over by Judge Mark S. Chandlee, was conducted with enhanced health and safety measures in place.  The jury was selected at an off-site location in order to permit social distancing.  Witnesses, and other trial participants, were required to wear masks at all times in the courtroom.  Plexiglass partitions separated the witnesses, court personnel, and jurors.

Mr. Harvey wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero for her outstanding work on the case.  Sheridan is facing in excess of 25 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on July 9, 2021.  He is currently incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.

Robert Harvey, Calvert County State’s Attorney, announces that the Grand Jury has returned 3 indictments charging Moshe Michael Imel, 50, of Owings, MD, with numerous counts of child sexual abuse.  The indictments allege violations over a time period of 2012 to 2020 involving 3 separate victims.  All victims were alleged to have been under the age of 14 when the abuse began.

The indictments allege that Imel, in his capacity as a coach with the Patuxent Rhinos football team, befriended the victims and invited them into his home in Owings.  He allegedly provided them with lodging, food, gifts, and money in exchange for sexual favors.  The acts allegedly occurred in Imel’s home.  Among other things, Mr. Imel is charged with 2 counts of Rape-Second Degree (Felony-20 year maximum) and 5 counts of Sex Abuse of a Minor-Continuing Course of Conduct (Felony-30 year maximum).

The alleged abuse was discovered when 2 of the victims, who are now age 21, reported the matter to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.  After receiving the information, detectives responded to Imel’s home, where they discovered a 3^rd child, aged 14, living there.  This child also reported that he had been abused by Imel.

Imel is currently being detained at the Calvert County Detention Center in lieu of a $500,000 cash bond.  He has been held since his arrest on March 18, 2021.

It is important to note that these indictments set forth the charges against Mr. Imel.  He has a right to have these charges adjudicated by a Judge or jury.  The State looks forward to the opportunity to present its evidence in Court at the appropriate time.

Finally, the investigation into this matter is ongoing.  Anyone with information regarding these charges, other incidents, or other victims are urged to call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.  The identity of all callers will be shielded.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – April 18-April 24, 2021

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Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, acknowledge the achievements in victim services and allied professions, honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors.

Each year in the spring, victim service providers, justice professionals, and community advocates across the state come together to reflect upon milestones of the past year and rededicate their efforts towards the furtherance of victims’ rights.

Every year, one County in each Region of Maryland hosts the Annual Maryland Statewide Crime Victims’ Memorial Service.  This year, the Southern Region is being hosted by the State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County.  Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this service will be held virtually on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm. more updates.  If you would like to view the Memorial Service, on Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. please go to https://ccsao.us/ncvrw/ and scroll down to find the link to the service.  The link will not be up until 2:00 on Sunday, April 18.

Robert Harvey, Calvert County State’s Attorney, announces the creation of a Court Diversion Program for Young Adults.  The Program will permit young, first-time offenders the opportunity to avoid a criminal record if they successfully complete a 6-week course of counseling and education through the Calvert County Health Department – Behavioral Health.  The Program is open to individuals aged 18-25, with no prior adult criminal record, who are charged with relatively minor offenses in the District Court.  Persons charged with violent offenses, DUI, firearms violations, and domestic-related offenses are not eligible.

The curriculum will consist of six two-hour sessions designed to prevent future violations of the law.  It will cover such topics as behavior modification, drug abuse, decision-making strategies, and anger management.  There is a $175 fee which may be adjusted upon the participant’s economic circumstances.

Candidates for the Program will be identified by the State’s Attorney’s Office and referred to Calvert County Behavioral Health for an evaluation.  Candidates who are accepted into the Program will have their charges placed on the inactive docket.  Upon successful completion of the Program, participants will be able to have the charges dismissed and records expunged.  Candidates who do not complete the Program will have their charges reinstated for prosecution.  The Program is strictly voluntary.

State’s Attorney Harvey noted that “Young people do not always understand the impact that even a minor conviction can have on future educational and employment opportunities.  This program will offer them a one-time chance to move on with life without the burden of a criminal record.”

Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty in Shooting Case

            John Michael Anderson Wood, 19, of Lusby, pleaded guilty on March 22, 2021, to 5 charges in connection with an October, 2019, shooting incident.  The charges were first degree assault, use of a handgun in a crime of violence, possession of a regulated firearm under age 21, and 2 counts of reckless endangerment.  The charges carry a maximum penalty of 60 years’ incarceration.

Wood was the co-defendant of Dru M. Sultzaberger.  Wood and Sultzaberger became involved in a dispute over marijuana at a party.  They armed themselves with handguns, drove to the victim’s residence in Lusby, , and fired several shots into the victim’s car, one of which struck her in the face.

Sultzaberger pleaded guilty and received 17 years’ incarceration in January, 2021.  Wood’s sentencing hearing is set for April 23, 2021.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Lee Ann Bell.

Craig Langrall, 41, of Tracy’s Landing, MD, was sentenced on March 12, 2021, to 10 years’ incarceration, with all but 6 months suspended, for the crime of Felony Theft over $25,000.  Judge Mark S.  Chandlee also required Mr. Langrall to complete 5 years of probation.

Langrall was a practicing attorney in Calvert County when he was hired by the victim in 2015 to provide legal representation in a family law matter.  During the course of that representation, Langrall embezzled $40,000 from the victim, which he used for personal expenses.

At the hearing on March 12, Mr. Langrall apologized to the victim, who was present in the courtroom.  As part of the sentencing, the State confirmed that Langrall had repaid the $40,000.  Nevertheless, the State argued that the crime represented a serious breach of trust and warranted a period of incarceration.  Judge Chandlee agreed and required Mr. Langrall to serve 6 months at the Calvert County Detention Center.

Calvert County State’s Attorney, Robert Harvey, wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney, Benjamin G. Lerner, for his handling of this case.

Mr. Langrall has been disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals and is no longer allowed to practice law.

On Monday, March 8, 2021, four individuals pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime in connection with the August 9, 2020, vandalism incident at Calvert High School.  Augustine Aufderheide, 19, of Prince Frederick, Cade Meredith, 19, of Saint Leonard, Anthony Sellers, 19, of Saint Leonard, and Kyle Hill, 19, of Prince Frederick, admitted to spray painting racial slurs on the school football field and several outbuildings.  They each were sentenced to serve 3 years imprisonment, suspended to 5 days at the Calvert County Detention Center, followed by 3 years of probation.  As conditions of probation, they must pay restitution, complete 150 hours of community service, and complete racial sensitivity training.  A fifth defendant, Andrew Edge, 19, of Huntingtown entered a similar plea on March 12, 2021, and received the same sentence.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey, wishes to thank Assistant State’s Attorney, Kyle B. Tores, as well as investigators from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, for their handling of the case.