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Temple Hills Woman Charged with DUI and Drug Possession After Erratic Driving in Dunkirk

Temple Hills Woman Charged with DUI and Drug Possession After Erratic Driving in Dunkirk

Charlotte Diane Stanford, a 37-year-old woman from Temple Hills, Maryland, has been charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled dangerous substance and a dozen traffic-related offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI). The charges stem from an incident on August 28 in Dunkirk, where Calvert County sheriff's deputies responded to multiple calls about a white Dodge Charger being driven erratically, described as "all over the roadway." Deputies located Stanford in the Charger at a Popeyes parking lot, where the vehicle was parked across two spaces. Upon interaction, deputies observed signs of impairment, including a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. Stanford allegedly stated she was in Virginia despite being in Dunkirk, Maryland, and attempted to drink from an open bottle of wine before exiting her vehicle, which was prevented by a deputy. She refused to perform standardized field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested for DUI. During a search of her vehicle, d...

Montgomery County Experiences 22% Surge in Car Thefts Despite National Decline

Montgomery County Experiences 22% Surge in Car Thefts Despite National Decline

Montgomery County, Maryland, has seen a significant 22% increase in vehicle thefts over the 12 months ending July 28, with 1,569 vehicles reported stolen. This rise contrasts sharply with a broader national trend of declining car thefts. Specifically, Silver Spring's 3rd District recorded the highest number of stolen vehicles at 444, followed by the 6th District (Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village) with 324, and the 4th District (Wheaton) with 322. These three districts collectively account for nearly 70% of the county's total vehicle thefts during this period. The increase reverses a previous decline observed after a major spike in 2023, when 3,366 vehicles were stolen. Assistant Chief Darren Francke noted that while efforts with automakers like Kia and Hyundai to reprogram vehicles had initially been successful, new trends, possibly influenced by social media, are contributing to the renewed surge. Police also report that 90 of the 136 individuals arrested for vehicle theft in the county this year were ...

Former Maryland Home Health Employee Sentenced for Over $25,000 in Medicaid Fraud

Former Maryland Home Health Employee Sentenced for Over $25,000 in Medicaid Fraud

A former Maryland home health employee, Falguni Patel, 60, has been sentenced to five years in prison, with all but time served suspended, for submitting over $25,000 worth of false Medicaid claims. Patel, a former employee of HomeCentris and a Howard County resident, pleaded guilty to felony public health fraud in August. According to Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, Patel claimed to have performed home health services while she was either working another job or out of the country. As part of her sentencing, she is required to pay back the fraudulent claims in restitution. This case is part of an ongoing investigation involving the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Department of Health.

Judge Orders Competency Evaluation for Ex-Turnstile Guitarist in Attempted Murder Case

Judge Orders Competency Evaluation for Ex-Turnstile Guitarist in Attempted Murder Case

Brady Ebert is facing life in prison after his charges for intentionally driving his car into the father of Turnstile singer Brendan Yates were upgraded to attempted first-degree murder

Greater D.C. Diaper Bank Sues Maryland Landlord Over Warehouse Conditions

Greater D.C. Diaper Bank Sues Maryland Landlord Over Warehouse Conditions

The Greater D.C. Diaper Bank, a prominent nonprofit organization, has filed a lawsuit against its former landlord in Maryland, alleging negligence regarding persistent roof leaks at its leased warehouse located at 8846 Monard Drive in Silver Spring. According to Liz Schurgin, the diaper bank’s executive director, the organization made over a dozen requests for repairs since 2023, which were either ignored or met with temporary fixes. These ongoing leaks reportedly disrupted the distribution operations of one of the diaper bank's core programs, which provides essential items like formula and diaper cream to families in need. The lawsuit claims that the poor conditions forced the diaper bank to liquidate more than $125,000 worth of inventory and resulted in a loss of over $600,000 in donor contributions that would have otherwise been distributed. The Greater D.C. Diaper Bank is seeking $775,000 in damages.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Rolls Out Body Cameras to Improve Prison Safety

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Rolls Out Body Cameras to Improve Prison Safety

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) has initiated a statewide rollout of body-worn cameras for correctional officers, following a successful pilot program. The implementation began in May, with Roxbury Correctional Institution being the first facility to regularly use the cameras. This initiative aims to enhance safety for both officers and inmates, provide accountability, and aid in investigations. The state has entered into a 10-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., costing $4.1 million annually, which covers user licenses, equipment maintenance, and software. Officials state that the cameras are always on but only record during specific qualifying events, such as escorts, searches, counts, and responses to incidents like use of force. Prohibited uses include situations with an expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or medical conversations. Early results indicate a significant reduction in assaults within the Division of Correction, with monthly assaults drop...

Montgomery County High School Reports Two Separate Weapon Incidents, One Student Charged

Montgomery County High School Reports Two Separate Weapon Incidents, One Student Charged

Two separate weapon incidents occurred at Magruder High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Thursday morning, leading to one student being charged and another facing disciplinary action. According to police, school security was initially investigating a report of a student with a gun when they discovered another student possessing a knife on campus. The knife was confiscated, and that student will face disciplinary measures through the school. During the ongoing investigation into the reported gun, a 15-year-old male student assaulted an Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) administrator and a school security staff member. After the student was brought under control, a search revealed a BB gun. This 15-year-old student has been taken into custody and charged with first and second-degree assault, possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, and disruption of a school day. The Department of Juvenile Services has authorized the student's detention. Magruder High School was placed on a brief h...

Maryland Carjacking Suspect Shot by Police After Striking Officer and Vehicles

Maryland Carjacking Suspect Shot by Police After Striking Officer and Vehicles

In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a carjacking suspect, Jasmin L. Cooper, 28, was shot by police after she allegedly drove toward officers, striking one officer and multiple vehicles. The incident occurred on May 7, following a report of a hit-and-run. Cooper reportedly crashed her car, then forcibly took a vehicle belonging to a family member who had arrived to assist her. Police located Cooper in the stolen vehicle on the 8500 block of Severn. Body camera footage shows officers instructing Cooper to exit the vehicle, but she instead sped away, driving towards the officers. This action prompted officers to discharge their firearms, striking her. Cooper then crashed into another car and attempted to break into an occupied vehicle before being apprehended. Both Cooper and the struck officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment. Cooper faces charges including carjacking, attempted carjacking, multiple counts of reckless endangerment, and first- and second-degree assault.

Governor Wes Moore Appoints Kendra Young Ausby to Appellate Court of Maryland

Governor Wes Moore Appoints Kendra Young Ausby to Appellate Court of Maryland

Governor Wes Moore has announced the appointment of Kendra Young Ausby to the Appellate Court of Maryland, At-Large. Governor Moore expressed his honor in appointing Judge Ausby, citing her extensive legal expertise and dedication to her community. He stated his confidence that Judge Ausby will uphold justice and serve the state effectively in her new role. Kendra Young Ausby currently serves as an Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, a position she has held since 2010. In this capacity, she has presided over a wide array of cases, including medical malpractice, custody disputes, delinquency matters, and constitutional criminal procedure. Judge Ausby has also held leadership roles, serving as the Judge in Charge of the Family/Domestic Division and handling special assignments for Child Victims’ Act cases. Her prior experience includes serving as Principal Counsel for the Courts and Judicial Affairs Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and as an Assistant Attorney Gene...

Waldorf Man Charged with Vehicle Theft and Rogue-and-Vagabond Offenses

Waldorf Man Charged with Vehicle Theft and Rogue-and-Vagabond Offenses

Xavier Zarin Fowler, a 24-year-old man from Waldorf, Maryland, has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft and rogue-and-vagabond offenses. Charles County sheriff’s deputies apprehended Fowler after home surveillance video allegedly captured him attempting to open car door handles in a Pomfret neighborhood. The investigation began on August 17 when a suspicious person was reported pulling on vehicle door handles. Upon arrival, an officer found a gray Nissan Altima running with its driver-side window slightly open and a tray of coins inside. A resident reported seeing a man in dark clothing heading towards a wooded area. Shortly after, Fowler emerged from the direction of Marshall Corner Road, claiming the Nissan was his and that he was visiting people nearby, though he couldn't provide an exact address. He also stated his car wouldn't restart if turned off. Further investigation revealed that the resident Fowler claimed to visit did not know him. Surveillance footage from another resident's Ring c...

Federal Judge Blocks New Virginia Law Limiting Local Cooperation with ICE

Federal Judge Blocks New Virginia Law Limiting Local Cooperation with ICE

A federal judge in Richmond, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne, has issued a preliminary injunction blocking key provisions of a new Virginia law that sought to restrict cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. The ruling allows existing agreements under Section 287(g) of federal immigration law to continue. These agreements permit trained state and local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement duties. Virginia's law, Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1441, signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger in April and effective July 1, required existing agreements to be rewritten by September 1 with a dozen new conditions, or they would be deemed void. However, Judge Payne's injunction prevents the commonwealth from applying these new conditions to federal immigration officers or interfering with current 287(g) agreements. A significant restriction that remains in place is the prohibition against localities and law enforcement agencies that h...

BGE Proposes 17% Electric Rate Hike in Maryland, Sparking Consumer Concerns

BGE Proposes 17% Electric Rate Hike in Maryland, Sparking Consumer Concerns

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has proposed an increase of approximately 17% to its electric distribution rates. This request, if approved, would lead to BGE's electric distribution rates being 58% higher than they were in 2020 and 129% higher since Exelon Corp. acquired BGE in 2012. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), an independent state agency representing residential utility customers, has published a consumer guide detailing the proposed hike. BGE is seeking to collect an additional $156.1 million from customers, which would raise the residential electric distribution rate from 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour to 5.8 cents, and increase the flat monthly customer charge from $10 to $11. For an average household using 900 kilowatt-hours a month, the OPC estimates this would result in an increase of about $8.58 per month, or roughly $103 annually. BGE, however, assumes lower average usage and estimates a smaller impact. The proposed increase specifically targets the distribution portion of the bi...