Year: 2023

On December 15, 2023, Cedric Fonta Moore, of Washington, DC, was sentenced in Calvert County Circuit Court to 23 years incarceration, with 9 years active, for his role in the May 2023 robbery of the M&T Bank in Dunkirk.  The sentence was imposed by Judge Mark S. Chandlee.

Because robbery is a crime of violence, Moore will have to serve at least half of his sentence before becoming parole eligible.

Two other individuals who participated in the robbery received active sentences of 8 and 15 years, respectively.  One individual, Jemel Anthony Brown, is scheduled for sentencing on January 18, 2024.  Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte prosecuted these cases.

On December 15, 2023, Terance Albert Tracy, received a sentence of 90 days incarceration from Judge Mark S. Chandlee of the Calvert County Circuit Court. Tracy was convicted in November of criminal trespass at the Calvert County Health Department. As a condition of supervised probation, Judge Chandlee ordered Tracy not to return to the Health Department unless he has a medical condition that could not be treated elsewhere in the State of Maryland.

On November 27, 2023, Christopher Thomas Chaillet, 36, of Nanjemoy, pleaded guilty in Calvert
County Circuit Court to reckless endangerment and permitting a child to have access to a
firearm.

The evidence showed that Chaillet, who possessed a valid Maryland handgun permit, knowingly
left a loaded handgun in his truck while his 2-year old son was sitting, unsupervised, in the
passenger seat. The child gained access to the gun and shot himself in the arm.

Judge Mark S. Chandlee required Mr. Chaillet to serve 1 year of home confinement followed by
3 years of probation. Chaillet was required to forfeit the weapon and he will be prohibited
from owning or possessing firearms in the future.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney April N. Brown.

On November 27, 2023, Nam Hong Nguyen, 40, of Sunderland, was sentenced in Calvert County Circuit Court to 45 years in prison, with 15 years of active time, for attempted rape and sex abuse of a minor child.  The sentence was imposed by Judge Mark S. Chandlee.

In November of last year, Nguyen entered the bedroom of a family member, armed with a handgun.  He took off his clothing and began touching the victim’s legs.  The victim awoke and Nguyen crouched down beside the bed.  The victim was able to send text messages to her mother, who came to the bedroom and began knocking on the door.  At that point, Nguyen took the gun and fled the house.  He stated he was going to kill himself.  The police arrived and took Nguyen into custody without further incident.  The gun was recovered.

Nguyen will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life and will be on 5 years supervised probation upon release.

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

On November 20, 2023, Brandon Ross Holbrook, 48, of Reedsville, PA, was indicted by a Calvert County Grand Jury and formally charged with the murder of Joseph Shymanski of Huntingtown.  A total of 5 charges were returned by the Grand Jury, to include common law murder, first and second degree assault, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Holbrook is due in Calvert County Circuit Court on December 4, 2023 for an initial appearance/arraignment.  He is being held at the Calvert County Detention Center.

An indictment is simply a method of charging an individual and does not constitute a finding of guilt or innocence.

On November 15, 2023, Terance Albert Tracy, 31, of Annapolis, was convicted by a Calvert County jury of criminal trespass on the premises of the County Health Department.  Earlier this year, Tracy, a self-styled “First Amendment Auditor,” entered the lobby area of the building during business hours and began filming people as they came and went.  Based upon patient privacy concerns, the County Health Officer asked Tracy to stop filming and leave.  When Tracy refused to do so, he was arrested by deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2023, before the Honorable Mark S. Chandlee.  The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Kyle Tores.

On October 23, 2023, Silas M. Moore, of Washington, DC, was sentenced to 40 years, with 15 years of active incarceration, for his role in the May 2023 robbery of the M&T Bank in Dunkirk.  The sentence was imposed by Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee.

Moore will be on 5 years of supervised probation upon release from prison.  Because robbery is a crime of violence, he will have to serve a minimum of 1/2 of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.

On October 13, 2023, Silas M. Moore, 37, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Calvert County to armed robbery, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a regulated firearm.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred at the M&T Bank in Dunkirk on May 1, 2023.  An individual, later identified as Moore, entered the bank, produced a note demanding money, and displayed a handgun.  He fled with $1,000.  Detectives initiated a pursuit of the getaway car and a high speed chase ensued.  The defendant and three alleged accomplices were ultimately arrested and the money and weapon were recovered.

Sentencing for Moore is scheduled on October 23, 2023.  He is facing up to 40 years imprisonment.

On September 5, 2023, an accomplice, Denise Blacknell, received a sentence of 23 years, with 8 years of active incarceration.

The Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office, now has the use of a comfort dog to assist crime victims and witnesses when they are required to come to court.  The dog, named “Dougall,” is available on a case-by-case basis to provide emotional support to individuals who have experienced a traumatic or tragic event.  He is particularly effective with victims of child abuse.  “Dougall” is trained and certified to provide this service.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey today announced that his office will expand the resources available to assist military veterans involved in the criminal justice system.  Individuals applying to participate in the District Court mental health docket or the Circuit Court adult treatment program (drug court) will be screened to determine if they, or any members of their immediate family, have ever served in the military.  Veterans admitted to these programs will be referred to counselors at the Maryland Commitment to Veterans Program so that additional services can be identified and brought into play.  In the future, Mr. Harvey hopes to create a Veteran’s Resource Advocate position within his office to assist veterans in obtaining services and other benefits.