Year: 2021

On March 1, 2021, Matthew James Baker, 30, of Saint Leonard was sentenced to 2 years active incarceration at the Division of Corrections.  As part of his sentence, Baker is prohibited from owning, possessing, or residing with any animal.

Baker entered a guilty plea back in November 2020 to felony aggravated animal cruelty for having chased the family cat into a bedroom at the home and beating it to death with a metal object.

Calvert County State’s Attorney, Robert Harvey, wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Monte, Dep. James Sturdivant of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Calvert County Animal Control, and Investigator Mike Moore of the State’s Attorney’s Office for their work on this case.

On February 8, 2021, Barbara Davis, age 52, of Chesapeake Beach, entered a guilty plea in the Circuit Court for Calvert County, admitting her involvement in a felony theft scheme of over $10,000.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine.

Ms. Davis was charged with the theft scheme following an investigation into irregularities in the Northern High School Band Boosters budget.  The Band Boosters are a non-profit, parent organization whose sole purpose is to support and promote the Band Program at Northern High School.  Ms. Davis had been the Treasurer of the Band Boosters organization from 2017 through 2020, and following her tenure as Treasurer, it was discovered that the Band Boosters’ bank account was missing funds that should have been there.  Through investigation by the State’s Attorney’s Office, as well as the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that Ms. Davis misappropriated $18,937.06 for personal use during her time as treasurer.

Sentencing in this case is set for June 11, 2021.

On January 28, 2021, Dervon Wayne Wallace, 36, of North Beach was sentenced to 8 years active incarceration after entering a guilty plea on December 11, 2020, to Possession with Intent to Distribute – Cocaine.  The sentence included a term of 5 years’ probation.

During the investigation conducted by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit,  Sheriff’s deputies recovered 612 grams of cocaine, scales, cutting agent, and a large amount cash.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney, Lee Ann Bell.  Calvert County State’s Attorney.

On January 26, 2021, Dru Michael Sultzaberger, 20, of Lusby was sentenced to serve 17 years’ incarceration for his role in an October, 2019, shooting.  The sentence included a term of 5 years without the possibility of parole.

Sultzaberger became involved in an altercation at a party with the victim’s brother.  Armed with a handgun, Sultzaberger drove to the victim’s residence to seek revenge.  He fired several shots into the victim’s vehicle.  One shot struck the victim in the face.  During the investigation, Sheriff’s deputies recovered 3 firearms from Sultzaberger, drugs, and a large amount of cash.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney, Lee Ann Bell.  Calvert County State’s Attorney, Robert Harvey, wishes to commend Ms. Bell, Det. Ted Yates of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the entire investigative team for their outstanding work in this case.  The outcome reinforces Mr. Harvey’s commitment to seeking significant periods of incarceration for people who commit violent acts in Calvert County.

FORMER ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY 

On January 25, 2021, Craig Langrall, age 41, of Tracy’s Landing, Maryland, entered a guilty plea in the Circuit Court for Calvert County to felony theft scheme over $25,000.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or a $15,000 fine.  Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2021.

Langrall was a practicing attorney in Calvert County and was hired by the victim to represent him in a family law matter.  In the course of the legal representation, Langrall received a check that was payable to the victim and deposited the check into Langrall’s client trust fund.  However, instead of holding the funds in the account for his client’s use, Langrall, over the course of several months, spent the entire $40,000 on personal items.

When the victim requested the funds, Langrall was unable to provide the money.  After the victim made numerous attempts to recoup his money, a referral to the State’s Attorney’s Office was made, and the investigation and criminal prosecution was initiated.  Langrall was also disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant State’s Attorney, Benjamin G. Lerner.

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH

On Saturday, January 16, 2021, State’s Attorney Robert Harvey participated in a Human Trafficking Awareness event at Hallowing Point Park.  The event was sponsored by the Calvert County Commission for Women.  The event was part of the Red Sand Project started by Molly Bochman, a New York City based artist.  Participants filled in walkway cracks with environmentally friendly red sand in hopes that when citizens cross over these walkways, they will remember the victims of human trafficking.

Mr. Harvey stated that in 2019, there were 11,500 reported cases of human trafficking in the United States and 187 in Maryland.  The State’s Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute all such cases in Calvert County.  Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Cordero specializes in the prosecution of sex offense and child abuse cases, and has previously worked in Special Victims Units in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties.

If you would like more information or would like to participate in an upcoming Red Sand Project event, please go to  www.calvertcountymd.gov/672/Commission-for-Women or www.UnstoppableYouMinistriesInc.org.

On January 11, 2021, David Harold Johnson was sentenced for his role in the rape and murder of Rose Marie Long, age 71, of Prince Frederick, MD.  Judge Mark S. Chandlee of the Circuit Court for Calvert County sentenced Johnson to life imprisonment for first degree murder, life imprisonment for first degree rape, and five years’ imprisonment for the theft of Ms. Long’s vehicle.  The sentences were made to run consecutively to one another, meaning that Johnson, age 49, likely will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Johnson was residing in Calvert County on Sunday, June 7, 2020, when he entered Ms. Long’s home on Stafford Road in Prince Frederick.  Once inside, he raped Ms. Long and strangled her to death using a cell phone charging cord.  He then stole her vehicle and left the area.

Mr. Johnson was identified as the assailant using Ring doorbell video obtained from Ms. Long’s home.  A lookout was broadcast.  On June 9, 2020, a concerned citizen spotted Mr. Johnson driving Ms. Long’s vehicle on Route 4 in the vicinity of Skinner’s Turn Road.  He called the police, and Johnson was arrested by Sheriff’s Office deputies a short time later.  Johnson ultimately admitted his involvement to detectives from the Maryland State Police.  Johnson was also identified as the perpetrator through DNA samples obtained from Ms. Long’s body.

The case was prosecuted by Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert H. Harvey, Jr.  Mr. Harvey wishes to thank Cpl. Kyle Simms of the Maryland State Police and his investigative team for their thoroughness, attention to detail, and dedication to the pursuit of justice in this case.