Sheriff High attends Ribbon Cutting for new Family Health and Wellness Center at Suitland

Upper Marlboro, MD… Sheriff High joined County Executive Baker, Councilwoman Karen Toles other County Officials and Community Leader Elsie Jacobs this morning for the ribbon-cutting at the new Family Health and Wellness Center at Suitland.

“This is an exciting new center for the Health and Wellness infrastructure of Prince George’s County, “said Sheriff High. “At the Sheriff’s Office, we’re looking forward to contributing to the health and wellness of the community and setting a good health and wellness example through the Prince George’s County Basketball Wellness League. We’re proud to have one of our Commanders, Colonel Orlando Barnes serve as the Commissioner of the League.”

Commissioner Barnes said that the Basketball Health and Wellness League is open to every county agency that wants to have a team. “League play is expected to begin in early April,” he said.

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

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Deputies Seize Machine Gun while Serving Peace Orders

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) seized a Machine Gun while serving two Peace Orders at a residence in the 1000 block of Balboa Avenue in Capitol Heights, MD. The gun is a Ruger TEC-9 with an extended magazine, containing 23, 9mm bullets.

Deputies arrested and charged James Doby with First Degree Assault and Firearm Possession by a Convicted Felon. The Peace Order was filed against an unidentified male who is alleged to have threatened the Petitioner.  

When deputies arrived at the residence on Wednesday, January 8^th, three individuals ran out of the home advising deputies that James Doby, who was inside of the home, had pointed a black gun described as an “Uzi” at them and demanded that they talk to him.

James Doby was detained after he attempted to leave the home through a basement door. He was taken into custody without further incident.

James Doby faces additional charges.

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

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Deputies Arrest Suspect after a Home Invasion during a DV Dispute

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) has reported the arrest of Antoine Gatkin for Second Degree Assault and Destruction of Property on Monday, January 6, 2014.

On Monday, Deputies were dispatched to the 3200 block of Walters Lane in Forestville, MD for a domestic dispute in progress.  Prior to their arrival, they were updated by Public Safety Communications that there were sounds of struggling and screaming in the background and the suspect had forced his way into a residence by kicking in the exterior door.

                          

When Deputies arrived at the residence, they observed Gatkin fleeing on foot. A foot pursuit ensued; after a brief chase, deputies caught and detained Gatkin with no further incidents.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

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

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DVID Deputies Arrest Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) arrested Davonta Bennett on an Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder arrest warrant obtained by County Police Criminal Investigations Detectives (CID) on December 19, 2013.

According to the warrant, Bennett stabbed another relative twice following a verbal argument at a residence in the 6500 block of Seat Pleasant Drive in Seat Pleasant, MD.  He fled the scene before police arrived.

On December 21^st, DVID deputies located Bennett in the 7600 block of Landover Road in Hyattsville, MD. He was taken into custody without incident and released to CID detectives for interviewing.

Bennett is also charged with one count each of First Degree Assault and Second Degree Assault.

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

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Still I Rise, Inc. presents Sheriff High with 2013 Community Empowerment Award

Upper Marlboro, MD…Sheriff Melvin C. High accepted the 2013 Community Empowerment Award for Outstanding Service during Still I Rise, Inc.’s First Annual Community Empowerment Series Gala on Friday, December 20, 2013.

The award presented to Sheriff High Friday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center acknowledged the Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Intervention Division’s (DVID) dedicated work, support and collaboration with Still I Rise, Inc. in prevention and intervention of domestic violence.

“It is an honor to receive this accolade, I am accepting this award on behalf of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who work with great effort and compassion to intercede in and stop Domestic Violence,” said Sheriff High. “With continued collaborations with organizations like Still I Rise, Inc. we hope to continue to combat domestic violence crimes and help victims become survivors.”

Dr. Glenda F. Hodges, Founder and General Director of Still I Rise, Inc., said “Still I Rise, Inc. selected Sheriff Melvin C. High and his agency for the thoughtful and creative methods they have used to mitigate Domestic Violence in Prince George’s County.”

The Sheriff’s Office DVID has an in depth domestic violence related responsibility throughout Prince George’s County in which DVID utilizes a three pronged approach:  Pre-intervention is the service of Protective and Peace Orders, On-sight intervention where Sheriff’s Deputies respond to emergency 911 Domestic Violence calls for service in Police District III, and Post-Intervention when Domestic Violence Advocates reach out to victims within 24 hours of a Domestic Violence incident to help the victim access a variety of services and resources.

For more information about Still I Rise, Inc. visit http://www.stillirisemd.org/home.html

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

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Warrant Deputies Arrest Theft Suspect

                                                                    

Leadership Prince George’s Donates “Teddy Bears” to Sheriff for Children Affected by Domestic Violence

Upper Marlboro, MD… Leadership Prince George’s, Inc. (LPG) donated nearly 250 Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals to the Sheriff’s Office at its alumni and friends holiday celebration.  The stuffed animals, contributed by LPG members and alumni, and Jack and Jill of Prince George’s County were presented to Sheriff Melvin C. High and Chief Assistant Darrin C. Palmer - a Class 22 alum.  The toys are used by Sheriff’s Deputies in the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) to comfort small children they encounter in domestic violence situations.

LPG Board Chair Marva Jo Camp introduced Sheriff Melvin C. High. Of the partnership with the Sheriff’s Office she said, “The Teddy Bear project is one we enjoy for a lot of reasons; it brings our graduates and current class together in fellowship and common cause; it supports the public safety work of one of our alum and board members; and we get to hope that each of these toys will comfort a child in a violent situation.”

Sheriff High thanked LPG and spoke briefly about the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID), the importance of speaking out against abuse and the fact that children are often the silent victims in domestic violence disputes. “Our deputies see so many things. For a frightened and confused child, a stuffed animal may be just the thing they can hold on to when they are in the midst of a violent storm they don’t understand. They can mean more than you know,” said Sheriff High.

Sheriff High went on to say that Domestic Violence affects communities across the county, the state and the world, and that silence and fear of reporting abuse continue to be among the major challenges in the fight against domestic violence.

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

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