PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from December 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from November 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from October 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from September 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from August 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from July 2018

PGSO spreads a little holiday cheer to family that adopted 5 siblings to keep them from being separated in foster care. #PGSOisEverywhere

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from June 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from May 2018

Happy Hoildays and best wishes in the New Year

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from April 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from March 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from February 2018

PGSO's 2018 Year in Review - A memory from January 2018

2018 Sheriff's Swearing in Ceremony

Click here to see Photo Album

PGSO attends the Seniors Thanksgiving Luncheon #PGSOisEverywhere

Click Here for Photos

Cadets from the Sheriff's Office Positive D.A.Y. Youth Mentoring Program assisted with the Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Feast at the Accokeek Firehouse hosted by the Roscoe C. Cartwright Masonic Lodge #129.

Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s Conduct Child Support Warrant Sweep #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff reported that it’s Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) joined Calvert and Charles County, and Maryland State Police in an overnight child support warrant sweep on November 7th. The operation resulted in the arrest of 25 individuals whose unpaid child support arrearages totaled $142,375. One individual arrested had child support arrears in Prince George’s County of over $27,000.

Twenty-five law enforcement officers comprised three teams that began the operation with a total of 59 writs and 25 warrants they intended to serve which came from each of the participating jurisdictions or agencies.

Captain Joyce Bowers, Commander of Child Support Enforcement in the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office said the financial resources and the manpower resources always support our achieving good results. Bowers went on to say that “child support payments assure that a custodial parent has the necessary resources to care for a child’s basic needs - costs that might otherwise be borne by county taxpayers”.

The Child Support Enforcement sweep is made possible by a state funded grant and has been conducted every year for twenty years.

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

DVCC is partnering with the Maryland Healthcare Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of Health and Human Services to host a film screening of 'Private Violence' on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  

13th annual college fair will be held from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2018, in conjunction with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Eta Zeta Chapter (Bowie State University), the Kappa Epsilon Lambda Educational Foundation (KELEF) and the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex (Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission-Prince George's County, MD).

Warrant/Fugitive Division Felony Arrest Report

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Sheriff’s Office Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the following felony arrests:

                                 

First Degree Assault Suspect Arrested

Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Hortencia Velazquez of Hyattsville, MD, who was wanted on an arrest warrant for Assault First Degree obtained by County Police on October 16, 2018. 

According the warrant, on October 9^th, officers were dispatched to the 8200 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring, MD for a reported cutting. At the scene police officers made contact with the victim who stated that she had been assaulted by Velazquez, saying that she had punched and cut her leaving lacerations on her cheek, arm and lip. The warrant further states that Velazquez left the scene before police arrived, that the victim was treated for her injuries, and that the victim and Velazquez knew each other.

Sheriff Deputies located the suspect at a residence in the 2400 block of Hannon Street in Hyattsville, MD. Deputies went to the residence and knocked at the door which was opened by a man who allowed deputies entry into the residence where they saw Velazquez. She was advised of the outstanding warrant, taken into custody, and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections in Hyattsville MD without incident.  

Velazquez is also charged with Assault Second Degree.

                   

Child Abuse Suspect Arrested

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Gerald Tucker-Diaz of Hyattsville, MD, on an arrest warrant for Sexual Abuse of a Minor that was obtained by County Police on October 16^th, 2018.

According to the warrant, Tucker-Diaz is alleged to have sexually abused a minor between 2013 and 2018.

An investigation by Sheriff Deputies determined that Tucker-Diaz could be located in the 2000 block of Connecticut Avenue in Hyattsville MD. When Deputies went to the location, Tucker-Diaz opened the door and was informed of the warrant. He was placed into custody and transported to the Prince George’s County, MD Department of Corrections without incident.

Tucker-Diaz is also charged with Assault Second Degree, Sex Offense Third Degree, Sex Offense Fourth Degree.

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

PGSO BLOG         PGSO TWITTER FEED      PGSO FACEBOOK PAGE  

Thanks to our Partners from Prince George's Community College for their Teddy Bear Drive during Domestic Violence Month.

Deputies Seize Illegal Firearm During Service of Extreme Risk Protective Order

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Intervention Division Deputies reported the arrest of Christopher De Los Santos of Hyattsville, MD on October 27th   after attempting service of an Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) during which Deputies charged De Los Santos with Illegal Possession of a Handgun.

In their attempt to serve the ERPO, deputies knocked on the door of De Los Santos’ residence when they heard De Los Santos yell to them from across the parking lot that he was there as he emerged from a vehicle. Deputies notified De Los Santos that an ERPO had been filed against him and that they needed him to surrender any firearms in his possession since an ERPO prohibited him from possession of firearms. De Los Santo gave deputies permission to search, saying that he had no guns. In the process of the search, deputies found a custom metallic magazine containing the maximum capacity of ammunition, which De Los Santos said he found.

After receiving a written Consent to Search, deputies searched the vehicle and the residence and found a black/silver handgun on the vehicle floor board of the driver's seat. The handgun had an identically matching magazine to the one deputies found on De Los Santos’ person.

De Los Santos was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Department of Corrections where he was also charged with carrying an unregistered handgun in his vehicle.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) was created by HB1302 that passed the General Assembly in 2018 and which became effective on October 1, 2018.  The law prohibits possession of firearms by a respondent named in an ERPO while the ERPO is open.

Since October 1st, the Office of the Sheriff has served 10 ERPO’s, collected 17 firearms and 3000 rounds of ammunition. “These numbers demonstrate what an enormously valuable tool this legislation is for law enforcement that enables us to temporarily take possession of firearms and potentially save lives,” said Sheriff High. An Extreme Risk Protective Order may be applied for against any individual who presents an “immediate and present” danger. The order of the court granting the ERPO requires the respondent to surrender all firearms in his or her possession  and authorizes law enforcement to intervene to assure that surrender of weapons is achieved. 

  

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

                                                                              ###

PGSO BLOG         PGSO TWITTER FEED      PGSO FACEBOOK PAGE  

Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff Honoring Survivors of Domestic Violence

Please Click Link to view video

The Office of the Sheriff's 7th Domestic Violence Partnership Luncheon at Oxon Hill Manor

Click to View Photo Album

2018 PGSO's Domestic Violence Luncheon

Due to upcoming inclement weather, " Shatter the Silence" 5K Walk/Run is canceled.

16th Annual Clackamus County Domestic Violence Warrant Sweep (71 Arrests Close 74 Warrants)

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff led a warrant operation that was a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to participate in the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office 16^th Annual National Family Violence Apprehension Detail. The October 17^th, operation began that evening and continued into the early morning hours of the 18^th.

  

Ten teams, under Sheriff’s Office leadership, included the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Maryland State Police (MSP), Maryland National Capital Park Police (MNCPP), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, Bladensburg Police Department, Hyattsville City Police Department, Glenarden Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Greenbelt Police Department and with the support of the Prince George's County Public Safety Communications.

During the sweep, teams attempted warrant service at more than 238 addresses that resulted in the arrest of 71 individuals to close 75 warrants. One of the individuals arrested was wanted on a warrant for Assault 1^st Degree and Armed Robbery for robbing three citizens walking to their car. Other arrests included warrants for Violation of Parole (VOP), Robbery, Assault 2^nd Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a felony, Violation of a Protective Order, Violation of Probation, Child Pornography Promote/distribution, Neglect of a Minor, Forgery Private document, Possession of Handgun, CDS Possession, Possession with intent to Distribute, Theft 25k to 100K, and other crimes.

The Clackamus County Annual Warrant Sweep takes place every year in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Launched in 2002 by Clackamus County Sheriff Craig Roberts, the Clackamus County Sweep has grown to include over 300 county sheriff’s offices, police departments, probation departments, and municipal agencies from 29 states. During the last eight years the Prince George’s County, MD Sheriff’s Office has led the effort with the highest number of closed warrants and arrests.

“The grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) enables us to conduct this important operation. Everything about the Clackamus County Warrant Sweep is a win for the Sheriff’s Office, for all our participating law enforcement partners and the community. Many of these warrants are related to family violence which is why it’s conducted during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Clackamus County effort is a potent reminder that domestic violence has no place in our community,” said Prince George’s County Sheriff Melvin C. High. 

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

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Be Aware of the Red Flags! Come out and receive variable information w/ Keynote Speaker Dr. Bent Goodley and Dr. Kesslyn Brade Stennis. #PGSOisEverywhere

Congressman Brown Shares Vision of Purple Light Nights

Presenting Sponsor PEPCO receives New Purple Light Nights® Award!

A Night at Purple Light Nights #PGSO

Click Here For Photos

Be in the Picture!

We look forward to seeing you at the Purple Light Nights Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign Lighting Ceremony Monday at 6:30 pm. 

Thanks to our colleagues at the Department of Family Services, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Division for continuing partnership with the Capital Wheel to light the wheel purple during the Domestic Awareness Month. The wheel will be purple on:

Monday, October 1st, 2018

Friday, October 5th, 2018

Friday, October 12th, 2018

Friday, October 19th, 2018

Monday, October 29, 2018

Media Advisory - Purple Light Nights® Lighting Ceremony Celebrates 5th Year #PGSO

(Recognizing Fearless Leadership in the Fight Against Domestic Violence)


Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff will celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Purple Light Nights® (PLN) lighting ceremony on October 1, 2018 – the ceremony that has come to be known as the kickoff event that begins Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “This fifth anniversary of the lighting ceremony will be a celebration of what our county can accomplish when we work together,” said Sheriff High. Sheriff High said the ceremony will recognize partners across sectors for their partnership, support and fearless leadership in raising awareness against domestic violence.


The “Purple Light Nights®” lighting ceremony continues the work of the Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID), working with County Administration, county, and corporate/private professional partners to raise awareness, share information, highlight the range of resources available in the county, and serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. “Awareness is how citizens know the signs of abuse, know that there is help, and know where to get it. It’s impossible to imagine the end of domestic violence without the support and involvement of the community,” said High.


As in past years, during the lighting ceremony Sheriff’s Office personnel will again distribute purple light bulbs and ask that they shine them every night during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to signify the county’s unity in the fight against domestic violence.


WHAT/WHEN: Purple Light Nights® Lighting Ceremony October 1, 2018 6:30 p.m. – 8:00p.m.


WHO: Office of the Sheriff – Sheriff Melvin C. High County Executive Rushern Baker III – (A Walk Through Five (5) Years of Progress The “Purple Light-Bulb” Awards)


WHERE: County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772


Guests are invited to pick up lightbulbs, a fifth anniversary memento, take keepsake photos in the “Purple Light Nights®” picture frame between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The program will start promptly at 7:05 and conclude with the lighting ceremony countdown promptly at 8:00.

The media are invited to attend. For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354. ###

Sheriff’s Deputies Save a Life in the Line of Duty #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD… While executing a court-ordered eviction in the 1100 block of Palmer Rd. in Fort Washington on September 5, 2018, Deputies First Class S. Green and S. Smith spoke with the male tenant about the order to proceed with the eviction. The tenant was asked to gather essential items before vacating the apartment, but when he walked back to the bedroom he laid down on his bed. DFC Smith asked him to get off the bed and gather his personal items so the eviction could begin but the tenant, instead, began to open his nightstand drawer.

Aware of the potentially unsafe condition, Deputies positioned themselves tactically and both noticed that the tenant had a knife. DFC Green used OC spray on the man that did not subdue him. He continued to ignore all verbal commands, held the knife to his neck, and essentially threatened deputies by telling them that the only way he was leaving “is in a body bag.” The man attempted to cut his right wrist, was unsuccessful and began to try to cut his neck again. Deputies continued to give verbal commands and called for extra units with a taser to the scene.

As they waited, deputies attempted sympathetic reasoning with the tenant in an attempt to get him to drop the weapon. The deputies were assisted by off-duty Cpl. Mayberry who arrived on scene with a taser. Noticing that the man’s arm was tiring, Cpl. Mayberry talked with the tenant as he executed a taser strike that subdued the tenant sufficiently so that DFC Green could take possession of the knife. The tenant was taken into custody and transported to Southern Maryland Hospital for emergency psychiatric evaluation.

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

Great Job! Congratulations to #PGSO Cpl. Mayberry, DFC. Smith and DFC. Green on receiving the Commander's Commendation Award

2018 Domestic Violence Awareness Calendar of Events #PGSO

Monday, October 1, 2018

Office of the Sheriff Presents:

5th Year Anniversary of Celebrating “Purple Light Nights®

Lighting Ceremony Lighting Ceremony begins at 7:00 pm
Pick up a FREE Purple Light Bulb
National Harbor Capital Wheel Lights up for Domestic Violence Awareness

Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Veterans and Families Domestic Violence Community Resource Days
Westphalia Community Center
8900 Westphalia Road, Upper Marlboro MD 6:30pm-8:30pm


Friday, October 5, 2018
County Employees wear Purple to bring Awareness to Domestic Violence
National Harbor Capital Wheel Lights up Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness


Friday, October 12, 2018
National Harbor Capital Wheel Lights up Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness


Saturday, October 13, 2018
#fear2freedom
Help Queens of Sheba MC Prevent Domestic Violence
11800 Laurel Bowie Road, Laurel MD 20708


Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Veterans and Families Domestic Violence Community Resource Days
Kentland Community Center
2411 Pine Brook Ave, Hyattsville, MD 6:30pm-8:30pm

Friday, October 19, 2018

The Maryland – National Capital Park Police and Company Presents:
“Shatter the Silence” Banquet and Silent

2411 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover MD 20785 7pm-11pm
Click Here for Tickets

National Harbor Capital Wheel Lights up Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness


Saturday, October 20, 2018
First Baptist Church of Glenarden Presents:
The Red Flag Conference
"Coming Out of the Darkness"
3600 Brightseat Road, Landover MD 20785
8:00am-12:30 pm


Monday, October 22, 2018
Veterans and Families Domestic Violence Community Resource Days
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center
7120 Contee Road, Laurel, MD


Saturday, October 27, 2018

The Maryland – National Capital Park Police and Company Presents:
“Shatter the Silence” 5k Walk/Run
Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro Race starts at 9:00am
Click Here for Tickets

Sisters4Sisters, Inc and The Love Movement Presents:
The 13th Annual "Silent Tears No More" Breakfast

The Camelot by Martins 8:00am -11:00 am
Click Here for Tickets

The Domestic Violence Ministry Presents:
"The Silence"
Foot Foote Baptist Church
8310 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington MD 20744
4:00 pm-6:00 pm


Monday, October 29, 2018
National Harbor Capital Wheel Lights up Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Office of the Sheriff Presents:

7th Annual Domestic Violence Partnership Luncheon 

(Invitation Only)

Just in Case You Missed it... Check Us Out! Countdown until Monday, October 1 2018 #PurpleLightNights #PgsoisEverywhere

Making a Dream Come True with Courage, Preparation, and a Plan #PGSOisEverywhere

Upper Marlboro, MD…The dream of becoming a deputy sheriff began to take shape for Toria Roberts during a college internship with the Office of the Sheriff. Today, that dream is a reality because Deputy Roberts graduated from Police Academy Training Class Session 135 on May 2, 2018 to become the first law enforcement officer in her family.

Reaching her goal didn’t just happen. Deputy Roberts had to navigate the distance between her internship in the Sheriff’s Office and becoming a sheriff’s deputy. It’s a classic case of how to get from here to there. The answer for Toria Roberts is that she formulated and visualized a plan that she put in motion to make her dream come true.

Deputy Roberts says it all began when she interned at the Sheriff’s Office during the fall semester of 2013 as her college graduation approached. “It was kind of a surprising and strange feeling but I felt like I’d come face to face with my purpose in life.”

Ven Chapman, Executive Assistant to Chief Assistant Palmer, manages the Sheriff’s Office college and summer intern program says she saw Toria’s interest in the Sheriff’s Office growing. “I admired Toria’s tenacity from the beginning. When I met her she was working, going to school, and then interning with us. I saw her interest in law enforcement grow during the internship. We stayed in touch after her internship and I urged her to apply for an agency job opening after she graduated.”

Toria took Ms. Chapman’s advice. She applied and was hired for a civilian position in the Sheriff’s Office after she graduated from Bowie State University with a degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice in 2016. While Toria learned more about the Sheriff’s Office in her position in Warrants Processing, she stayed focused on her long-term goal by physical conditioning training so she could meet the fitness requirements of the police academy. Pam Cherry, who supervised Roberts in Warrants Processing believes Roberts’ civilian experience gave her a better understanding of the agency that will be helpful to her as a deputy. “I believe Deputy Roberts will go far in the agency,” she said. “I admired her work ethic; she always came early and stayed late to complete her work.”

Roberts’ hard work payed off. She was hired as a deputy recruit and entered the police training academy in September of 2017. As a female student deputy, she was taught to remain focused throughout the academy. “Although law enforcement continues to evolve, in many ways it remains a male-dominated environment. That’s not negative, it’s just a fact that makes women hyper-aware to distractions.”

From academy graduation to field training, Deputy Roberts says she appreciated the valuable information that was shared by each of her Field Training Officers (FTO). She says they had different styles of teaching and different styles of leadership. One FTO with a military background was highly detail oriented, while another was less so and allowed Roberts to learn more by doing, if she could do so safely. “Every FTO experience was valuable and it’s an eye-opening difference between the classroom and actually being on duty,” said Deputy Roberts.

Toria Roberts was born and raised in Prince George’s County, where she grew up in Accokeek community and graduated from Gwynn Park High School. As communities across the country grapple with the loss of young people who don’t return to their home communities after college because of a lack of career opportunities, Deputy Roberts is an example of a well-educated native Prince Georgian who saw opportunity in her home community and chose to serve.

Ven Chapman thinks Toria is a perfect example of the importance of the internship opportunities. “Deputy Roberts is the realization of what our goal is with internships - to expose young people to career opportunities right here in Prince George’s County and to hire them to serve in the community they know and love,” she says. “With a relevant minor in Criminal Justice, Toria might have chosen to begin her career in law enforcement someplace else but because of her experience here, she chose the Office of the Sheriff.”

Deputy Roberts agrees “I’m not sure I would have considered the Sheriff’s Office, but after learning so much during the internship, I really enjoyed the accessible size of the agency and the whole experience made me want to learn more.”

Roberts is already thinking about the next 5 years during which she plans to work toward being promoted as far as she can be in this agency. She is also interested in joining the K-9 Unit in the future, but for now, she loves her job as a deputy and is committed to being one of the best deputies in the agency.

 

Sounds like a plan.