Month: August 2023

On August 28, 2023, Michael Ian Harts, 31, of St. Leonard, received a sentence of 10 years incarceration, suspended to 3 years of active time, for illegal possession of a short-barreled rifle and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  The sentence was imposed by Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark W. Carmean.

Harts was arrested by Calvert County Sheriff’s deputies in February 2023, following a traffic stop.  A court-authorized search warrant was executed at Harts’ residence which led to the discovery of the illegal weapon

Harts will be on 5 years of supervised probation upon his release from prison.  Due to the nature of his conviction, he will be prohibited from possessing a firearm of any kind.  If Harts is found to have violated any condition of probation, all or part of the unserved portion of his jail sentence may be reimposed.

The case was handled by special prosecutor John Stackhouse of the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office.

On August 17, 2023, Edward Stanley Williams, 54, of Huntingtown, was sentenced to 4 years of active imprisonment for his role in a dogfighting operation. Williams was also ordered to pay $26,693 in restitution to the Calvert County Government. The sentence was imposed by Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee.

In May, Williams entered a guilty plea to four counts of felony dogfighting and 1 count of unlawful possession of a firearm.  A joint investigation conducted by the Calvert County Animal Control and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Williams maintained twelve American Pitbull Terrier type dogs at a property in Huntingtown. 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 recent and past dogfighting activities.

Following his release, Williams will be placed on a 5-year term of probation at which time he is prohibited from possessing, residing with, or owning any dogs.  A violation of that probation could result in the imposition of an additional 13 years of incarceration.

On Monday, August 15, 2023, Carol Badart VanWie, 77, pleaded guilty in Calvert County District Court to multiple charges involving violations of Maryland’s animal cruelty laws.  Ms. VanWie was found to have housed more than 40 rabbits and other creatures in unsanitary and inhumane conditions at her nonprofit venture, Bunny Magic and Wildlife Rabbit Rescue, in Lusby.

VanWie was given a suspended jail sentence, placed on probation, and ordered not to possess any animals.  In addition, she reimbursed Calvert County the sum of $67,000 for the care and feeding of the animals that were confiscated from her property.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey wishes to commend Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte for his handling of this case.  Credit also goes to Officer Allison Higgs of the Maryland Natural Resources Police who initially investigated the case and brought the charges against Ms. VanWie.

On Monday, August 14, 2023, Randell Jamal Wright, was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment, suspended to 8 years of active time, for his role in the July, 2022, burglary of the Jewelry Exchange in Dunkirk, Maryland.  The sentence was imposed by Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee.

Wright is facing another 5 years of incarceration for a violation of probation pending in the Circuit Court for Howard County.  His hearing date in Howard County is currently set for September 18, 2023.

On Friday, August 4, 2023, Moshe Michael Imel, 53, was sentenced to 40 years in prison by Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee.  The sentence was made to run concurrently to a similar sentence imposed in Federal court on August 3^rd.

Imel was convicted of engaging in illicit sexual activities with young boys at his home in Owings.  At the time, he was the boys’ youth football coach.  Imel also produced videos of his activities.

Because of his age, it is likely that Imel will spend the rest of his life in prison.  The sentence in Federal court does not carry eligibility for parole.  Furthermore, inmates in the Federal system typically serve 85% of their sentence.

The cases in Calvert County Circuit Court were prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero.