Month: May 2023

On May 8, 2023, Ronald Joseph Garraway, 60, of Chesapeake Beach, pleaded guilty to four charges in connection with a barricade situation that occurred last August.  The charges included first and second degree assault and use of a firearm.

On August 19, 2022, the Calvert County Circuit Court issued an order directing the Sheriff’s Office to take Garraway into custody for a mental health examination.  Friends and relatives had told the Court that Garraway was acting in a bizarre fashion.  When deputies arrived at Garraway’s house, he refused to leave and began making threats.  Deputies evacuated the neighborhood and attempted to get Garraway to surrender.  Tear gas was deployed and deputies eventually entered the residence.  As they began to ascend the stairway to Garraway’s location, he fired shots at them.  Garraway later came down the stairway armed with a handgun, refused commands to drop the weapon, and was shot in the shoulder.  He was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment.

Garraway was examined by a psychologist employed by the Maryland State Department of Health and found to be psychotic and delusional.  The psychologist determined that at the time of the offense Garraway was not criminally responsible for his actions.

Under Maryland law, Garraway was committed to the Department of Health for placement in a secure mental health facility.  He will remain in that facility until it is determined that he no longer poses a danger to himself or others.  Before release, the State is entitled to a hearing before the Court to determine whether Garraway should continue to be committed.

On May 1, 2023, Edward Stanley Williams, 54, of Huntingtown, pleaded guilty in Calvert County Circuit Court to 4 counts of felony animal cruelty relating to the use and possession of dogs for dogfighting, and 1 count of unlawful possession of a firearm.  Sentencing is set for July 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm before the Honorable Mark S. Chandlee.  These charges are the result of a collaborative effort between Calvert County Animal Control, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Through this investigation, it was determined that Williams maintained twelve American Pitbull Terrier type dogs on the property.  Several of the dogs had injuries and scarring consistent with having been used in a dogfight.  Numerous implements of dogfighting were also located at the property including weighted collars, breeding stands, break sticks, and assorted medications.  Investigators also recovered photographs, videotapes, and documents memorializing dogfighting activities.  The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.

On May 2, 2023, Moshe Michael Imel, 53, of Owings, entered a guilty plea in Calvert County Circuit Court to three felony charges relating to the sexual abuse of minors.  Imel had previously entered a guilty plea to charges in Federal court involving the production of child pornography.

Between 2009 –  2020, Imel was the head coach of the Patuxent Rhinos youth football team.  During this time frame, he enticed minors into his home with the promise of allowing them to become members of the team.  Over time, he bribed his victims with food, money, and other gifts to force them to engage in sexual activity.  On numerous occasions, Imel produced videos of his activity.

Imel will be sentenced by Judge Mark S. Chandlee on August 4, 2023.  The State is seeking 40 years of active incarceration.  It is expected that this sentence, coupled with the sentence in Federal court, will insure that Imel spends the rest of his life behind bars.