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.

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