Tag Archives: firearm

JURY CONVICTS EDGEWOOD MAN OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: December 11, 2024
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was found guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, two (2) counts of Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Bel Air Police Officers were dispatched to the Harford Bounce Party Place located at 698 Bel Air Road, in the Harford Mall, for the report of a shooting with an injured person. It was reported that the suspect in the shooting had already fled the scene, running out of the mall.

Officers were able to develop information on the suspect quickly from numerous victims and witnesses on scene. Officers were also able to review security footage of the shooting. The video showed a group of individuals arguing and fighting when the suspect produced a handgun from his waist area, which appeared to have an extended magazine. The suspect fired several shots at the victim who was trying to break up the altercation. The victim was struck by one bullet in his upper left thigh, one bullet in his groin, and one in his finger. It was discovered that the victim was there helping set up for a one-year-old’s birthday party. The child’s father, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr, was identified as the shooter. A fight broke out between Lyons’ mother and the mother of the one-year-old. Lyons took several seconds to clear a path before firing the gun five times at the victim. Lyons then put the gun in his waist band and fled the mall, running past several people.

Surveillance footage showed that at the time the victim was shot, two additional adults and two children were standing behind the victim, recklessly endangering them by putting them at risk of being shot. It was learned during the investigation that Lyons was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2017 conviction for Possession with the Intent to Distribute and a 2009 conviction for Robbery.

Police were unable to apprehend Lyons on the day of the shooting. After a 28-day manhunt, Lyons was found in a Red Roof Inn in Anne Arundel County where he was arrested and transported back to Harford County Detention Center. Following the verdict, Lyons was returned to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center where he will be held pending sentencing. Sentencing has been scheduled in this matter for February 13, 2025.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “It is despicable that anyone would resort to gun violence to resolve their issues. However, I am particularly appalled by Wesley Lyons and the decision he made to commit this heinous and very violent crime at the birthday party for a one-year-old child. This is further exacerbated by the fact that he did so in the presence of multiple other children and adults as well, placing them all in danger, when they were simply trying to engage in a celebration for a child in a bouncy house in as public of a place as the Harford Mall. As a prohibited person, he showed his complete disregard for the law as well as for the lives of those around him. Harford County will be a safer place with him incarcerated for decades to come.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their efforts in prosecuting this case and securing these felony convictions of this violent offender. She also expresses her gratitude to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani and Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Wilsynski for their thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit for their perseverance that ultimately led to the defendant’s capture.

CONVICTED FELON FOUND GUILTY IN FIREARM POSSESSION CASE

DATE: December 6, 2024
RE: State v. John Thomas Preston Jr.

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, John Thomas Preston Jr. was found guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Rifle/Shotgun, False Statement to a Police Officer, and multiple related firearms and ammunition offenses following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Harford County Circuit Court.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 10, 2023, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Bel Air, Maryland for reports of a shooting. Deputies made contact with the Defendant, John Thomas Preston Jr., who was suffering from a gunshot entry wound on his left thigh and a gunshot exit wound on his left shin. Deputies recovered a bullet in Preston’s sock. Preston told deputies that he was arriving home after being followed by a vehicle and was ultimately shot upon exiting his vehicle. Preston was unable to provide any identifying information for the vehicle or the alleged shooter and told police multiple conflicting versions of the incident. A shell casing and blood was located near an exterior side entrance of his residence. Through the course of their investigation, detectives began to suspect Preston made up this story to cover up accidentally shooting himself in the leg.

Detectives ran a criminal background check for Preston and learned that he was prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm due to prior felony convictions for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances. Detectives executed a search warrant for Preston’s residence. During that search warrant, they recovered a short-barreled shotgun with an obliterated serial number, and a shell casing matching the one found on the exterior of the residence was also located in Preston’s bedroom. A Rossi .357 revolver and .45 caliber ammunition were also recovered from the residence.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “I will always be a strong advocate for responsible, legal gun ownership, but when a convicted felon blatantly ignores the restrictions imposed upon him by the law and diverts law enforcement resources into knowingly false investigations, it puts our community at risk. I commend this jury for seeing through the Defendant’s false statements and finding him guilty of these offenses.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana for her efforts in securing these firearm and related convictions and to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Tabler and Vasquez and Detectives Sergent and Reynolds for their thorough investigation of this case. Further gratitude goes to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Ghaner and Maryland State Police Firearms Examiner Houser for their expert firearm testimony that was instrumental in securing these convictions.

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED IN BELCAMP MURDER

Date: November 18, 2024
RE: State v Djbril Ramatoulay

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Djbril Ramatoulay, 32, of Aberdeen, was convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and various related firearms offenses following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in trial proved that on April 23, 2024, members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded the McDonald’s on Riverside Parkway for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they observed one deceased victim inside the McDonald’s suffering from two gunshot wounds to the head. An additional victim was also on scene and had taken shelter in the stockroom of the restaurant. Surveillance footage also showed that the suspect chased the surviving victim out of the McDonald’s and into the parking lot of the nearby Waffle House, firing three additional rounds. Through the course of their investigation, Detectives were able to identify the shooter as Djbril Ramatoulay. A search warrant was executed on the Defendant’s residence where they located the clothing worn in the surveillance footage during the incident. Those items were seized, swabbed and submitted for testing, where DNA analysis was conducted and confirmed that blood from the deceased victim was present on Ramatoulay’s clothing. The Defendant was interviewed, where he denied interacting with either victim and also gave a false description of the clothing he was wearing on the night in question. Ramatoulay is currently being held in the Harford County Detention Center pending his sentencing hearing on March 18, 2025.

Following the jury’s verdict, State’s Attorney Alison Healey offered the following comment: “This is yet another prosecution by our office for a violent crime, and another violent criminal convicted by a Harford County jury will be removed from the streets of Harford County. Our citizens are safer because of the successful prosecutions by our office. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated but committing such an egregious act in a public place which put so many innocent citizens at risk calls for a strong message to be sent. My heart is with the families of the deceased victim in this case as well as with the surviving victim. While I know that nothing can bring back the young man that was lost, I hope that this verdict will bring some sense of peace and justice to them as they all try move on from this horrific crime.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney Trenna Manners for her efforts in the prosecution of this case as well as the outstanding support staff of the State’s Attorney’s Office that assisted in preparing this case for trial. She also expressed her gratitude for the efforts of Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Ross, Dr. Mounkes from the Maryland State Police Crime Lab, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Dean, and the civilian witnesses and surviving victim whose testimony was instrumental in securing a conviction in this case.

EDGEWOOD MAN RECEIVES MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER

DATE: August 9, 2024
RE: UPDATE – Sentencing in State v Alton William Cumbo Jr.

On August 8, 2024, Alton William Cumbo Jr., 30, of Edgewood was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his February 2024 convictions for Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Crime of Violence, and Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Prohibited Person with a Felony Conviction. During sentencing, the State argued for, and the Judge imposed, the maximum possible sentence of seventy-five (75) years to serve, twenty (20) years of which are without the possibility of parole. This sentence is an upward deviation from the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines, which were calculated to be twenty-five (25) to forty (40) years to serve.

During his sentencing, considering the Defendant’s criminal history and the facts of this case, Judge Adkins-Tobin noted that he was not a candidate for rehabilitation, as nothing the Court could do would deter him from further criminal behavior, and therefore, a sentence had to be crafted that would protect the community from this person who is a threat and a danger.

During the same appearance in court, Judge Adkins-Tobin also sentenced Cumbo on a Violation of Probation stemming from convictions for Second Degree Assault and Theft Under $100 in 2014. On the Violation of Probation, the Defendant received a sentence of seven years and six months to serve, just one month shy of the maximum sentence he could have received in that case.

The sentence in the Second Degree Murder case and the sentence in the Violation of Probation case were ordered to be served consecutively to each other for a total of eighty-two (82) years and six (6) months. These sentences were also ordered to be served consecutively to any outstanding unserved sentences both in Harford County and other jurisdictions.

Following the sentencing hearing State’s Attorney Alison Healey issued the following statement, “I am incredibly proud of the tremendous work by Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen to ensure this maximum sentence today. As stated by the Court, Alton Cumbo is not a candidate for rehabilitation or someone that will be deterred from future criminal behaviors. His criminal conduct tragically took the life of a Harford County citizen, and that simply will not be tolerated. My office will continue to pursue aggressive and above guidelines sentences for anyone who commits acts of violence in our community. Today, I hope the victim’s family can be at peace and feel as though justice was served in knowing that the person responsible for their terrible loss will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

State’s Attorney Healey also thanks Detective Moro and Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts that led to this successful prosecution. She also expresses gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the State Medical Examiner for their cooperation in furthering this investigation. Finally, she acknowledges the emergency responders that responded to the scene and made every effort to save the life of this victim.

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER

DATE: August 7, 2024
RE: State v Charles Alfred Webster Jr.

On Monday, July 29, 2024, Charles Alfred Webster Jr., 50, of Abingdon, was found guilty Attempted First Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person with a Felony Conviction, Reckless Endangerment, and Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court of Harford County.

Facts presented during trial showed that on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the victim in this case was completing her Amazon Flex delivery route for the day in the Woodsdale apartment complex in Abingdon, Maryland. While driving out of the complex on Waldon Road, a black Audi sedan with no registration plates pulled alongside the victim’s driver’s side window with its windows down. Thinking the person was asking directions, the victim lowered her driver’s window. Without a word, the driver of the Audi then raised his arm, holding a black handgun, and aimed it at the victim’s face. She quickly stomped on the gas pedal as she heard a single shot ring out. Ducking down near her dashboard while holding the gas pedal down, the victim fled the area, ultimately arriving at Wawa on Woodsdale Road where she called 911 for help.

Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call, observing a bullet hole entering through the victim’s rear driver’s side window and exiting through her rear passenger side window. As deputies were relaying identifying information regarding the suspect’s Audi sedan, the vehicle was observed driving northbound on Route 924 near Ring Factory Elementary. A traffic stop was conducted, and the victim was transported to the scene where she was able to positively identify the driver as the man that shot at her. The defendant, Charles Alfred Webster, Jr., was identified as the driver of the Audi and taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, in plain view on the driver’s seat, was a spent 9mm ammunition casing. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Unit conducted a further lawful search of the defendant’s vehicle and apartment, which revealed a firearm purchase box for a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun on the nightstand in the master bedroom. It was also determined that the defendant was prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm pursuant to his 1998 felony conviction for Assault in the First Degree in Delaware.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey commented, “This was truly a senseless act of violence, as the defendant and the victim were not known to each other prior to the day of this incident. This victim showed tremendous bravery by facing her attacker in court and testifying to ensure his conviction in this case. I hope that she can find some peace in knowing that justice was served and that this person will never be a threat to her again.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Deputy State’s Attorney Trenna Manners for her hard work and advocacy in securing this conviction. She also extends her gratitude to Detective Maddox, Lieutenant Burgess, and all of the members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in the investigation and swift apprehension of this Defendant.

EDGEWOOD MAN FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND FIREARMS CHARGES FOLLOWING A THREE-DAY JURY TRIAL

Baltimore Man Convicted of First Degree Murder

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: December 22, 2022
RE: Conviction and Sentencing of Milton Mondowney, III

(Bel Air, Maryland) — Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction and sentencing of Milton Mondowney, III, 31, from Baltimore, Maryland, for murder in the first degree and use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence.

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 5:23 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 1904 North Fountain Green Road, Apartment 203, in Bel Air, Maryland, for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located Corey Samuels, 23, deceased as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and head. Detectives responded to the scene and began an investigation. Witness interviews and surveillance from the apartment complex revealed that Milton Mondowney, III, entered the apartment and shot Corey Samuels multiple times.

On December 14, 2022, Milton Mondowney, III, pled guilty to murder in the first degree and use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence. Following victim impact statements made by Mr. Samuels’ parents and siblings, the Honorable Kevin Mahoney sentenced Mr. Mondowney to life suspend all but forty years to serve for the first-degree murder of Corey Samuels, and a concurrent twenty years suspend all but five years without parole to serve for the use of a firearm in commission of a felony and crime of violence. Upon completion of those sentences, Mr. Mondowney will be subject to five years of supervised probation.

“Senseless acts of violence in our communities will not be tolerated,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr. “I am very proud of the work that my office and the Sheriff’s Office did to hold Mr. Mondowney accountable for this tragedy in the name of pursuing justice for the victim and his family.”

Mr. Peisinger expressed gratitude to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their response and thorough investigation, as well as to Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick, whose diligence and advocacy led to the conviction of Mr. Mondowney.

Whiteford Man Convicted of Firearm Charges in Relation to Drug Trafficking

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: May 13, 2022
RE: Conviction of Nicholas Hunt

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Nicholas Hunt, 26, of Whiteford, Maryland, for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted a disqualifying crime.

On August 29, 2018, the Warrant Apprehension Unit of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services were investigating the apprehension of a fugitive at 1313 Gold Medal Way in Edgewood Maryland. Upon arrival at that address, investigators encountered Nicholas Hunt, who led investigators into his apartment where the fugitive was staying. Upon entry, investigators discovered marijuana in plain view along with a disassembled firearm. At this point, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and a search and seizure warrant was obtained.

Following the execution of the search and seizure warrant on Nicholas Hunt’s apartment, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force recovered approximately three ounces of cocaine and one and a quarter pounds of marijuana along with paraphernalia indicating that the illegal drugs were being weighed and packed for street level distribution. Also recovered was a 1911 Browning semi-automatic handgun near the drugs.

Subsequent to a grand jury indictment on the charges in 2018, the defendant fled the State and was eventually apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 3, 2021. On May 12, 2022, Nicholas Hunt pled guilty to possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted a disqualifying crime. The Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney sentenced Mr. Hunt to an aggregate sentence of 35 years of incarceration, suspend all but 10 years to be served without the possibility of parole to the Department of Corrections. Upon completion of those sentences, the defendant was additionally placed on five years of supervised probation.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Cristin Treaster who prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for their teamwork and dedication which resulted in the arrest and conviction of Nicholas Hunt.

Aberdeen Man Convicted of Possessing Handguns and Large Amounts of Fentanyl

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: March 10, 2022
RE: Conviction of Adrian Lamar Goodwin

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Adrian Lamar Goodwin, 36, of Aberdeen, Maryland, for possession of fentanyl in the amount of five grams or more and for possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted a disqualifying crime.

In February 2020, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in Harford County, Maryland. Utilizing court ordered surveillance, investigators determined that a drug trafficking organization was transporting cocaine from Tucson, Arizona into Harford County for redistribution. Multiple co-conspirators were identified in this criminal enterprise including Adrian Lamar Goodwin. After numerous hours of surveillance, investigators were able to identify several residences utilized daily by the coconspirators, including a house located at 620 S. Freedom Lane in Havre de Grace, Maryland, where detectives observed numerous actions consistent with the drug trade. Over the course of the investigation, Adrian Lamar Goodwin was identified as one of only two people who had a key to this residence. Mr. Goodwin was observed at this house almost daily using a key to enter the location. Additionally, between April and May 2020, Mr. Goodwin was the only individual spending the night.

On May 12, 2020, a search and seizure warrant was executed at 620 S. Freedom Lane and Adrian Lamar Goodwin was inside one of the bedrooms. In that same bedroom, inside the dresser was a prescription pill bottle with no label containing 69 greenish pills with a weight of approximately 7.5 grams that were later determined by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division to be fentanyl. These pills had been pressed to look like oxycodone. Also located within the residence in the other bedroom was a bag containing three handguns and ammunition.

On March 9, 2022, the Honorable Paul W. Ishak sentenced Adrian Lamar Goodwin to twenty years suspending all but fourteen years of which the first five are to be served without the possibility of parole for possession of Fentanyl in the amount of five grams or more and to five years without the possibility of parole for possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted of a disqualifying crime to be served concurrently in the Division of Corrections.

“According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, a fatal dose of fentanyl is approximately two milligrams, making it one of the most dangerous narcotics illegally trafficked today,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr. “The actions of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force have saved many lives by taking off of the streets enough fentanyl to kill thousands of people and removing the drug dealer responsible from our community.”

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Jennifer Jaskulski-Tripp and Christopher J. Romano who prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Aberdeen Police Department, the Havre de Grace Police Department, the Bel Air Police Department, the Cecil County Drug Task Force, the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office and the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for their teamwork and dedication which resulted in the arrest and conviction of Adrian Lamar Goodwin.

Edgewood Man Convicted of Distributing Heroin/Fentanyl Mix

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: October 21, 2021
RE: Conviction of Daquan Brown

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Daquan Brown, 25, of Edgewood, Maryland, for distribution of a heroin-fentanyl mix, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and unlawful possession of a regulated firearm.

On July 8, 2020, Detectives assigned to the Harford County Narcotics Task Force conducted an investigation in regard to a fatal overdose. A number, listed as “Squirt,” was discovered on the victim’s phone and was believed to be a suspected narcotics dealer. A detective working in an undercover capacity, made contact with “Squirt” via text and arranged to purchase $200 of heroin. On July 9, 2020, detectives rented a room at the Red Roof Inn located at 2116 Emmorton Park Road in Edgewood and conducted surveillance.

Once the suspect arrived in a silver vehicle, detectives were able to identify him based upon distinctive clothing mentioned in the text messages. An undercover detective approached “Squirt” where the detective handed him $200. “Squirt” then advised the detective to walk over to his vehicle where he handed him a brown napkin that contained 23 capsules which were later tested and found to be a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Once this transaction took place, members of the Narcotics Task Force attempted to take the suspect into custody and he fled. During the foot pursuit, the suspect threw approximately 4.6 grams of cocaine. Once the suspect was taken into custody, he was positively identified as Daquan Brown. A resulting search of Mr. Brown’s silver vehicle revealed a loaded Star 9mm semi-automatic handgun under the driver seat, $647 in assorted currency and various other illicit narcotics. Further, it was discovered that Daquan Brown is prohibited from possessing a handgun due to a Baltimore County conviction.

On October 19, 2021, the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin imposed a total sentence of 40 years suspend all but 15 years incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections, the first five (5) years of which are to be served without the possibility of parole. The Defendant will be on five (5) years of supervised probation when he is released.

“This sentence is a warning to all those who decide to sell heroin and fentanyl in our community,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger. “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will do everything we can to fight the illegal drug trade, including ensuring that drug dealers will spend a significant portion of their lives in jail.”

Mr. Peisinger thanked Deputy State’s Attorney MiaBeth Marosy who prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Narcotics Task Force and the Maryland State Police Forensic Science Division for their hard work and dedication in conducting the investigation that resulted in the arrest and conviction of Mr. Brown.