Thursday, October 31, 2013

Sheriff High Hosts Governor O’Malley Reports on Warrants Closed with GOCCP Grant

Upper Marlboro, MD…Sheriff Melvin C. High and the Office of the Sheriff hosted Governor Martin O’Malley and County Executive Rushern Baker to announce the results of the Violent Offender Warrant Suppression (VOWS) operation that resulted in 596 arrests to dispose of more than 1,000 outstanding warrants. The three-month warrant sweep was funded by a $125,660 grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) to arrest violent crime offenders.

The Governor praised the outstanding results of the operation, saying that Prince George’s County alone accounts for much of the state’s reduction in crime. On the matter of public safety O’Malley said, “There is no more important work that we do. If we can’t do this, none of the other stuff matters much.” Consistent with the O’Malley Administration’s core strategy, the GOCCP grant targeted violent crime offenders who represent the greatest danger to the community.

Sheriff High said the Governor’s assistance gave the warrant squad a boost because the grant’s focus on violent crime offenders was consistent with the first priority of the Sheriff’s warrant strategy - to get the most dangerous offenders off the streets.


The final results of the operation were 596 arrests to dispose of 1,128 total warrants, including murder, rape, robbery, burglary and drug offenses. Twenty-six of the arrests were for domestic violence related crimes and the Warrant Division placed 160 detainers against offenders found in other jurisdictions.

Recalling taking office, Sheriff High said. “We’ve been at this work of the Sheriff’s Office for three years now and we originally laid out a strategic plan with three elements that still work: Priority focus on violent offenders and staying current on newly issued warrants that come in at a rate of 2,000-2,500 a month. Doing those two things helps us do the third, which is to chip away at the warrant backlog.” A ‘warrants maintained’ chart on display at the press conference showed that the warrant backlog is down over 11,000 warrants since Sheriff High took office in 2010.

Sheriff High gave special recognition to the participating law enforcement partners, including Superintendent  Marcus Brown and the Maryland State Police, U.S. Marshall Service, Chief Magaw and the Prince George’s County Police Department, Director Mary L. McDonough and the Department of Corrections, the Office of Homeland Security, Chief Ayers - Capitol Heights, Chief Robshaw - Cheverly, Chief Gibson - Colmar Manor, Chief O’Donnell - Glenarden, Chief Craze – Greenbelt and Chief Rice of New Carrollton.
The Sheriff also thanked the Warrant Division – investigators and deputies – saying, “The work is dangerous. It requires a lot of knocking on a lot of doors and you simply don’t always know what’s behind the door.”

In closing, Sheriff High called public safety a collaborative effort of interdependent agencies. “That has been the County Executive’s vision and I’ve been heartened to see it realized over the last three years,” he said. “There is no substitute for partnerships that work to the benefit of citizen safety and this effort has proven that fact once again.”

State’s Attorney Alsobrooks, Chief Magaw and Chief Mike Gonnella, President of the Police Chiefs of Prince George’s County spoke about the importance of working together to make the community safer and crime reduction.

Delegate Joseph F. Vallario Jr., Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Clerk of the Court Bland and Chair of the County Council Public Safety & Fiscal Management Committee Toles also attended.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Deputies Arrest Attempted Second Degree Murder Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant &Fugitive Division arrested Malik Bush Saturday on an Attempted Second Degree Murder warrant obtained by County Police detectives on October 21, 2013.

According to the warrant, on October 20th, Bush produced a knife and stabbed a man attempted to intervene in a verbal dispute between Bush and another individual outside of a restaurant in the 1000 block of Shoppers Way in Largo, MD.  Bush subsequently fled the scene.

Deputies investigating Bush’s whereabouts were led to the 8100 block of Baltimore Avenue in College Park, MD. With the assistance of the County Police Department Bush was taken into custody and transported to the Police District II station for interviewing.

Bush was also charged with one count each of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Intent to Injure with a Dangerous Weapon.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Governor O’Malley/Sheriff High Release Results of Joint Warrant Operation

Upper Marlboro, MD… Governor Martin O’Malley and Sheriff Melvin High will appear at a press conference to release the final results of the Violent Offender Warrant Suppression (VOWS) operation led by the Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division. The warrant operation that started July 14 to October 15th, was funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention and was a multi-week operation that included participation from local and state law enforcement partners.

 Who:              Governor Martin O’Malley,
                                             Sheriff Melvin C. High and other law enforcement partners

                         When:         11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 30, 2013

                         Where:        Office of the Sheriff Headquarters – 2nd Floor
                       5303 Chrysler Way
                       Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
                       

Members of the media and community are welcome to attend.

For more information contact the Press Information Office at 301-780-7354.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Sheriff Celebrates Domestic Violence Partners at Luncheon

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George’s County Sheriff and the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) held a luncheon to celebrate partners in the fight against domestic violence as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.  The theme of the luncheon was “Celebrating Partners – Hope and Help for Victims of Domestic Violence.” Guests from over 15 County and State organizations, including law enforcement, the criminal justice system, advocacy organizations and service providers attended the luncheon at the Colony South Hotel & Conference Center in Clinton, MD.
 
Encouraging a mood of celebration, Justine Love the Mistress of Ceremonies and well-known radio personality, community advocate and Director of Community and Public Affairs for CBS Radio of Washington, D.C., said, “You carry (everyday) the burden of people who hurt so if nobody told you they love you today – I do.”

 In his welcoming remarks, Sheriff High said the Celebrating Partners theme was recognition that the County and the State are making enormous progress in the fight against domestic violence, but that it is the combined effort of every partner, working together that represents help and hope for victims.
 “Last year alone, our Special Victim Assistants (SVA) assisted nearly 5,000 people who were either victims of domestic violence or fearful of becoming a victim,” said Sheriff High. “Whether we reached out to them or they reached out to us, if they took action that means our collective message is getting through.”
  
Representatives from each of the partner organizations were presented a Certificate of Appreciation. A special Award of Commendation was given to Retired Captain Daniel Hall, who was commander of the unit during the fastest period of growth and development of the Domestic Violence Intervention Division.

The luncheon closed with “Somber Reflection”, a ceremony in memory of nine victims whose lives were lost in FY2012 as a result of domestic violence.  Nine Special Victim Assistants from the Sheriff’s Office “stood” in remembrance of the nine lives lost by standing in front of nine life-sized red Silent Witness Silhouettes. The silhouettes are the symbol of the Silent Witness National Initiative which was started by a group of women in Minnesota who wanted to create something to commemorate the lives lost to domestic violence.   

Sheriff High thanked the luncheon coordinators Captain Ronald Terry, Commander of DVID and Ms. Bethany Bordeaux, Supervisor of the SVA Unit. “It was a program we enjoyed organizing to thank the partners we work with every day to do this important work,” said Captain Terry.

The following partner organizations were celebrated at the luncheon: Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley, Ph.D., Howard University, Professor  & Director, Ph.D. Program/School of Social Work; Community Advocates for Family & Youth; Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, The House of Ruth Maryland; Kennedy Foundation, Inc., Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Maryland Crime Victims Resources Center; Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence; Mobile Crisis Response Team; My Covenant Place – Prince George’s County Health Department; The Prince George’s Hospital Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center at Dimensions Healthcare System; the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD); State’s Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County; Still I Rise; Office of the Sheriff Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) Deputies, Domestic Violence Processing Unit and Special Victim Assistants (SVA).

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Joint VOWS/Clackamas County Warrant Operation Closes 75 Warrants

Upper Marlboro, MD… On Wednesday, October 16th the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff along with local law enforcement agencies conducted a warrant sweep that combined the multi-week Violent Offender Warrant Suppression (VOWS) operation with the 11th Annual National Family Violence Apprehension Detail. The joint operation resulted in 65 arrests to close 75 outstanding warrants.  
               
Ten teams comprised of Sheriff’s Deputies and law enforcement personnel from the Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and Maryland-National Capital Park Police attempted warrant service at 217 addresses in the County.

“It made sense to combine the VOWS operation with the Clackamas County Domestic Violence Warrant Sweep” said Captain William Mints, Assistant Bureau Chief of Field Operations. “Domestic Violence is a crime of violence and violent offenders were the focus of VOWS. Once again, we have had an outstanding result because we had the support of other local and state law enforcement partners.”

Among the charges in the 65 arrests, 4 were for First Degree Assault, 32 for Second Degree Assault and 7 were Domestic Violence related.

Lieutenant Colonel Regina Taylor, Bureau Chief of Field Operations said the VOWS operation has been a tremendous success. “We look forward to sharing the final results with the Governor’s Office
on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) in the coming weeks. The funding made this operation possible and the results are more violent offenders off the street; that’s success by any measure.”

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Suspect in a 1987 Attempted Murder Extradited from L.A.

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant &Fugitive Division arrested Mark McNabb yesterday on an Assault with the Intent to Murder warrant obtained by County Police detectives on March 9, 1988.

According to the warrant, on November 11, 1987, while armed with a handgun McNabb forced his way into an apartment on Cindy Lane in Seat Pleasant looking for a visitor of the residence.  McNabb and the visitor of the apartment exchanged gunfire, wounding McNabb prior to his fleeing the residence.
                                        
In early September Deputies received information that McNabb was possibly being detained in a Los Angeles, California County Jail on a traffic violation.  He was identified by L.A. law enforcement through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Initially, McNabb fought extradition claiming that he was not the person named in the 1988 warrant. 

McNabb ultimately admitted that he was the person wanted in the warrant when he was positively identified through scar from the gunshot wound and photos.  On October 14th, two Deputies from the Warrant & Fugitive Division extradited McNabb from California to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections where he is being held on a “No Bond” status. The warrant is closed.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Warrant Deputies Arrest Attempted First Degree Murder Suspect


Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest yesterday of Xavion Deandre Michael Proctor on an arrest warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder, that was obtained by County Police detectives on October 5, 2013.

According to the warrant, Proctor approached a female who was sitting in her vehicle and fired into the vehicle, striking the victim in her right thigh.  The warrant states further that Proctor proceeded to walk away from the crime scene as the victim fled. According to the warrant, the victim was not random.  

Deputies conducted several interviews in their investigation of Proctor’s whereabouts that led to the 7100 block of Willow Hill Drive in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  While conducting surveillance at the Willow Drive address Proctor was spotted exiting the rear basement door to smoke a cigarette and was apprehended without incident.

Proctor is charged with Attempted First Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Assault First Degree, Assault Second Degree, Firearm Use/Felony-Violent Crime, Handgun on Person and Handgun in Vehicle.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Statement from Sheriff Melvin C. High Domestic Violence Awareness Month - “Building on Strength”

Upper Marlboro, MD… “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when we in law enforcement and the organizations whose daily work is ending domestic violence remind citizens that the work to end domestic violence continues. Nationally and worldwide, violence against women remains high. Unfortunately, women are most often the victims of domestic violence and children are often the silent, unseen victims. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, my message today is that there is hope and help. In the State of Maryland and in Prince George’s County, there is a wide variety of resources to help victims of domestic violence access the resources they need to move from victim to survivor.

In the Office of the Sheriff, that help is available from our Special Victim Assistants (SVA) who are part of our Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID). 

Our SVAs are available at the:

             
       Upper Marlboro Courthouse – 301-952-2350
             Hyattsville Courthouse – 301-298-4252
             Sheriff’s Headquarters – 301-780-8425

Together, we can end domestic violence.”



For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Record 107 Arrests in Violent Offender Warrant Suppression Operation

 Upper Marlboro, MD… Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported that in one of the final weekends of the Violent Offender Warrant Suppression (VOWS) operation, it made a record 107 arrests to break an earlier record set in mid-July when the operation began. The sweep took place late Sunday night September 22 into Monday morning, September 23; the 107 arrests closed 120 warrants.  The overnight sweep is the continuation of the VOWS initiative, a multi-week operation led by the Office of the Sheriff and funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP).

The most recent sweep included 16 teams comprised of more than 75 law enforcement officers, including Sheriff’s Deputies leading each team, Maryland State Police (MSP), County Police (PGPD), Maryland Park Police, along with the Capitol Heights and Colmar Manor Police Departments. 

The recent sweep brings the operation totals to over 900 warrants disposed of.  The highest numbers of arrests continues to be Assaults at 184, followed by Theft at 61, CDS (drugs) at 46, and Burglary at 25. In addition, the number of detainers for the operation to date is up to 133 for individuals who were located incarcerated in another jurisdiction. The Detainer asks the other jurisdiction to detain the individual pending extradition by the Sheriff’s Office.

“The results are outstanding and must be attributed to the hard work of our deputies and our partner agency officers, and the critical investigative prep-work done by our investigators on all the warrants to prepare for the operation.” said Captain William Mints, Assistant Bureau Chief of Field Operations. 
Sheriff High spoke with the teams at roll call before they left Sheriff’s Headquarters with over 345 warrants to be served at addresses all over the County.  “This operation is focused on serving the warrants that are our first priority in keeping the community safe – the most violent offenders,” said Sheriff High. “I urge extra caution because these offenders are known to be violent, they represent the greatest danger to our community and they don’t want to be caught.”

Sheriff High went on to say that the partnership with GOCCP and with fellow law enforcement partners provides the resources and the manpower capacity that made these results possible. “Together, they give us the ability to cover more geography, knock on more doors and make more arrests.”

In addition to the 107 physical arrests made during the operation, 42 other wanted suspects turned themselves in after Deputies attempted service. These subjects became aware that they were being sought by Sheriff’s Deputies and subsequently turned themselves in.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Citizen Alert – New Traffic Laws from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Effective today, Tuesday, October 1, 2013 several new Maryland  Traffic Laws take Effect. 

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration:

Maryland's Cell Phone Use Ban (TR 21–1124.2) 
 Maryland’s cell phone law now prohibits a driver from using a cell phone while a motor vehicle is in motion. This is a primary offense. Law enforcement officers can stop a driver solely for using a cell phone – no other offense is needed. Drivers will receive a fine (not counting court costs) of up to:

$ 75 – first offense
                                        $125 – second offense
                                        $175 – third & subsequent offense

Maryland's Seat Belt Law
 Maryland has a primary seat belt law for front seat occupants AND a secondary seat belt law for back seat occupants.

Tickets can be issued to drivers and front seat passengers even if no other violation is observed.

Each person that is not buckled up (driver and passenger) may receive a ticket of up to $50 for not wearing a seatbelt.

In the case where any passenger under the age of 16 years of age is not buckled up, the driver will receive a ticket for each offense. For instance, if a driver is stopped and not wearing a seat belt, and a passenger under the age of 16 is also not restrained, the driver will receive a $50 adult seat belt ticket for himself and a $50 ticket for the passenger.


For more information visit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's website at www.mva.maryland.gov/