Tag Archives: Fallston

MAXIMUM SENTENCE IN NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER CASE

Date: May 30, 2025
Re: State v. Jared Anzelc and Shanna Anzelc

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Jared and Shanna Anzelc were sentenced in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Judge Alex Allman following their prior guilty pleas in relation to a 2023 Driving Under the Influence incident resulting in the death of eighty-year-old Monkton woman.

Evidence presented in support of those guilty pleas proved that on May 7, 2023, after playing a round of golf at the Mountain Branch Golf Club, Jared Anzelc consumed alcohol at the bar despite being on probation for a 2022 conviction for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and being ordered to abstain from the consumption of any alcohol. After several hours of drinking, Jared called his wife, Shanna, and asked her to come to the golf club. When she arrived, Shanna blew into the interlock system installed on Jared’s vehicle, and he drove off while Shanna followed behind. Approximately 16.9 miles from the golf club, while traveling north on Norrisville Road near the intersection of White Hall Road, Jared crossed over the double yellow line, into the southbound lane. The victim was traveling in the southbound lane, and when she saw Jared’s vehicle heading towards her, she swerved into the northbound lane. Jared swerved in the same direction, causing a head on collision. The victim was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, having sustained life-threatening injuries. She later succumbed to those injuries on May 10, 2023.

The victim’s family and friends were present in court for the sentencing hearings and gave emotional and moving victim impact statements both expressing to the court the impact of this tragedy, but also beautifully honoring her life. Ultimately, Judge Allman sentenced Jared Anzelc to the maximum sentence allowable by law for the Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle charge, fifteen years to serve, as well as an additional two years suspended for the DUI Per Se. Following his release, he will be subject to a five-year period of supervised probation. Additionally, Shanna Anzelc was sentenced to ten years, suspending all but three years to serve for Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, acting as an Accessory Before the Fact. She will also be subject to a period of three years of supervised probation upon release.

Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, commented: “This loss of life was a completely preventable and a senseless tragedy. Jared and Shanna Anzelc’s blatant disregard for the law and the lives of others on the road were deserving of these serious consequences. It is my hope that the finality of this sentencing can give this victim’s family a sense of closure after a long and tragic chapter of their lives.”

State’s Attorney Healey would like to express her sincere appreciation for Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her unwavering commitment to justice in this case. Her fortitude throughout every step of this case ensured that this maximum sentence was achieved and Harford County citizens are safer with these Defendants off our roads. Ms. Healey also commends the Victim Witness Unit of the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, who worked closely with this family throughout the court process and is invaluable in supporting victims in these life altering events. Finally, she thanks Trooper Allen of the Maryland State Police for his investigation and Sgt. Rumaker for his efforts in accident reconstruction that was a vital piece of evidence in the prosecution of these cases.

FALLSTON MAN CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE RAPE

Garry Lamonte Pendleton, 52, of Fallston, Maryland was convicted of two counts of second-degree rape, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and two counts of second-degree assault, following a three-day jury trial on March 13, 2023, in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office that Pendleton sexually assaulted an adult female victim in Fallston on July 8, 2022.

The victim testified at trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney that she sought a protective order against Pendleton on July 11, 2022, after Pendleton sexually assaulted her on July 8, 2022. The Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and determined that Pendleton initially threatened her with a firearm while inside of a vehicle parked at the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barracks. The victim was able to deescalate the situation but felt like she had no choice but to go back to her residence with him. While at the residence, the victim testified that Pendleton forced vaginal and anal sex on her. Several firearms, including a handgun registered to Pendleton, were located during a search of the residence by the Sheriff’s Office on July 13, 2022.

Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses requested Judge Mahoney continue to hold Pendleton at the Harford County Detention Center without bail following the conviction. Pendleton faces up to twenty years’ incarceration for each count of second-degree rape, ten years for each count of second-degree assault, five years for reckless endangerment, and anything that is not cruel and unusual punishment for false imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2023.

State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said after the jury’s verdict: “In just over two short months since I took office, this is the third sexual assault case that our office has taken to trial and received convictions. Yet another victim trusted our team of dedicated prosecutors and support staff to seek justice on their behalf. We will continue to work hard to serve victims and the citizens of Harford County by removing these violent predators from the community.”

Ms. Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses for his hard work and advocacy in this matter and the Special Victims Unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office for their supportive role in preparing the case for trial. In addition, she thanks DFC Kacher and Det. DeFazio for their investigation leading to the arrest and conviction of a dangerous sexual offender.