Tag Archives: Edgewood

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.

Abingdon Man Convicted of Felony Narcotics and Firearm Charges

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: October 21, 2021
RE: Conviction of Brandon Winkler

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Brandon Winkler, 20, of Abingdon, Maryland, for possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime.

On April 9, 2021, a Deputy from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol in Edgewood when he observed multiple traffic violations by a vehicle operated by Brandon Winkler. Upon stopping the vehicle, the Deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the car. The deputy, while speaking with Winkler at the driver’s side window, observed two large zip lock bags containing marijuana. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a variety of other illegal narcotics, approximately $1,773.00, a Tazer stun gun and a Bersa Piccola 95 .380 handgun. On that same day, members of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at Winkler’s residence in Abingdon, whereupon detectives found and seized various illegal narcotics including oxycodone, which was packaged for street level distribution. Detectives additionally found more firearms, including a Ruger MK II pistol, the barrel of which was threaded, a silencer that appeared to fit this weapon, ammunition and $2,007.00 hidden under the mattress in the Defendant’s bedroom.

On October 19, 2021, the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin imposed a total sentence of 20 years suspend all but five (5) years which are to be served at the Division of Corrections without the possibility of parole. The Defendant will be on five (5) years of supervised probation when he is released.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Romano who prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Sheriff’s Office along with the 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. Winkler.

Edgewood Man Convicted of 1st Degree Murder in Gang Shooting

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: October 4, 2021
RE: Gang Murder Conviction

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced that on October 1, 2021, a Harford County jury found Rahzir Meyers, 20, from Edgewood, Maryland, guilty of murder in the first degree, gang and firearm offenses following a two-week trial before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen. Sentencing was postponed to a future date to be determined.

On July 4, 2019 at 12:19 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 1942 Eloise Lane in Edgewood, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS learned that Khalil Johnson had been shot in the back and that the bullet exited through his chest. Johnson was transported to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where, despite life saving measures, he succumbed from his injuries.

An investigation, which involved several tips including anonymous witnesses, revealed that Rahzir Meyers was a member of the 400 Bloods gang which was in a feud with a local subset of the Crips gang. Witnesses stated that at the time of the murder, Rahzir Meyers stood on Brookside Drive and fired a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and victim Khalil Johnson. Further, video surveillance captured by Harford County Watch Surveillance cameras showed several individuals standing on Brookside Drive with at least one suspect firing a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and the victim Khalil Johnson. The video also shows Johnson running from the scene in the direction of 1942 Eloise Lane where he later collapsed. Multiple firearm casings were recovered from the area where the suspects were standing as well as a laser gun attachment. It was later determined that Rahzir Meyers’ DNA was on the gun attachment.

Witnesses also stated that there was a group of people hanging out in the area most of the late afternoon and evening hours of July 3rd through early hours of July 4th. The group included children, adults and others from the neighborhood who were out celebrating when the shooting occurred.

“Rahzir Meyers showed a shocking indifference to human life by carrying out this brutal gang murder in front of his entire community,” said Mr. Peisinger, “It is my hope that this verdict brings a measure of justice to the family of the victim of this callous and senseless act.” “As this case shows, this Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to use all available tools to disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten our communities including using the highly challenging Maryland Gang Statutes to hold violent offenders accountable.”

Mr. Peisinger further thanked the jurors who deliberated the case. He also praised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as all other first responders for their efforts in rendering aid at the scene and for the extensive investigation that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Meyers. Additionally, he commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Erin Smith and Toi Mason for their incredible advocacy in this highly complex case that resulted in this verdict.

Edgewood Man Convicted of Gun Offenses

DATE: August 31, 2021
RE: Conviction of Damian Walton

Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced today the conviction of Damian Walton, 31, Edgewood, Maryland, for possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person and the wearing, carrying and transport of a firearm.

On August 12, 2020, Deputy Robert Witt of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 1714 Crimson Tree Way in Edgewood, Maryland for a report of a gunshot. Upon arrival, Deputy Witt observed a man later identified as Damian Walton and woman later identified as Cindy Newton standing by a car. As Deputy Witt exited his patrol vehicle, Mr. Walton bent down toward the left front tire area. Due to the nature of the call, Deputy Witt ordered Mr. Walton to walk towards him and looked at the car Mr. Walton was standing near, where he discovered a .40 caliber handgun on the tire. A .40 caliber shell casing was also discovered near the scene. It was further discovered that Mr. Walton had a lengthy criminal history including previous convictions for firearms and felony narcotics, which prohibited him from possessing or handling a handgun.

Following a bench trial before the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin, on August 25, 2021, Damian Walton was found guilty of possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person and the wearing, carrying and transport of a firearm. Judge Curtin then sentenced Mr. Walton to 15 years, suspend all but seven years incarceration with five years of supervised probation upon release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Deputy Witt, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick for their outstanding work and dedication in the investigation and prosecution that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Walton.

Edgewood Man Sentenced in 2019 Shooting Death

DATE: August 23, 2021
RE: Sentencing of Anthony Martin, Jr.

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced the sentencing of Anthony Martin, Jr., 18 of Edgewood, Maryland for first degree murder.

On November 1, 2019 at approximately 3:19am, deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1800 block of Grempler Way in Edgewood, Maryland for a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as Joshua Crouse who had a single gunshot wound to his upper torso. Medics tried to revive Mr. Crouse but life saving measures were unsuccessful and he succumbed to his injury.

The resulting investigation revealed that Mr. Crouse met with Anthony Martin, Jr. at a Shell Station in Edgewood. Mr. Crouse arranged to purchase $60 worth of a controlled dangerous substance from Mr. Martin. Mr. Crouse met up with Mr. Martin on Grempler Way. During this meeting, Mr. Martin approached Mr. Crouse with an AR-15 firearm and shot him in the torso while attempting to rob him of his money.

Witnesses on the scene provided a description of Mr. Martin and advised that he was inside of the Shell station shortly before the shooting. Surveillance video from the Shell Station was reviewed and it showed Mr. Martin as described by witnesses. Based upon the video, a photographic array was presented to two witnesses who also identified him.

Mr. Martin pled in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin on July 23, 2021 to one count of murder in the first degree. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl.

The sentencing hearing occurred on August 23, 2021. The victim’s family attended the hearing and the Court heard statements describing the impact this crime had on them and on the community. The Court sentenced Mr. Martin to life suspend all but 40 years of incarceration, to be served at the Division of Corrections, with five years of probation to follow.

Mr. Peisinger expressed condolences to the victim’s family for this tragic and senseless loss.

Mr. Peisinger further thanked the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel and Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl for their outstanding work and dedication in the investigation and prosecution that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Martin.

Edgewood Woman Pleads Guilty in Stabbing

Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced today the conviction of Kyla
Royster, 24, Edgewood, Maryland, for first degree assault.

On June 7, 2020, deputies of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Deerwood Court,
Edgewood, Maryland. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman bleeding from slash wounds to her neck and face
and a stab wound to her abdomen. Before being transported to Shock Trauma, the woman identified her
assailant as “K.” Deputies met with her again at the hospital, where she was able to identify a photograph of
Kyla Royster as the woman who assaulted her. Deputies obtained a warrant and arrested Kyla Royster when
she was found the following day.

On February 5, 2020, Kyla Royster admitted her guilt at a hearing before the Honorable M. Elizabeth
Bowen. In exchange for her guilty plea, Judge Bowen sentenced her to twenty-five years, suspend all but ten
years to serve, to be followed by five years of probation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney
Jason I. Allen.

Mr. Peisinger thanked the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel, and the
University of Maryland Medical System for their outstanding work and dedication in conducting the
investigation that resulted in the conviction of Ms. Royster.