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Montgomery County, MD

Blind Civil Rights Attorney Killed In Maryland Fire Fought For Justice Until The End Blind Civil Rights Attorney Killed In Maryland Fire Fought For Justice Until The End
Blind Civil Rights Attorney Killed In Maryland Fire Fought For Justice Until The End David Shaffer, a blind civil rights attorney and lifelong advocate for marginalized communities, died after being pulled from the basement of a burning Montgomery County home. Fire crews rushed to the home on Aurora Drive in the Garrett Park Estates neighborhood on Friday, Feb. 28, according to a Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson. Firefighters managed to rescue Shaffer, who was blind and unable to escape on his own, but he later died at the hospital from his injuries. The Kensington fire. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Officials determined the fire was accidental, with multiple p…
$50K Lottery Jackpot Marks Third Big Win For Maryland Man $50K Lottery Jackpot Marks Third Big Win For Maryland Man
$50K Lottery Jackpot Marks Third Big Win For Maryland Man Lightning doesn’t just strike twice—it strikes three times for one lucky Maryland lottery player who just bagged his third big win. A longtime player from Burtonsville, known only by his nickname “Bag of the Money,” scored a $50,000 prize on the Money Bags scratch-off, marking his third major payout, Maryland Lottery officials announced. The Montgomery County man, who previously won $10,000 and another $50,000 prize in the past, recently claimed his latest windfall. Unlike his earlier winnings, which he invested in the stock market, this time, he has a more practical plan for the cash. “T…
SUV Driver, 28, Dragged By Freightliner Dies In Maryland Crash: Officials SUV Driver, 28, Dragged By Freightliner Dies In Maryland Crash: Officials
SUV Driver, 28, Dragged By Freightliner Dies In Maryland Crash: Officials A 28-year-old Maryland woman was killed after a tractor-trailer struck her SUV and dragged it down the road in a violent crash in Montgomery County, police said on Monday. Jiwon Kim, of Silver Spring, was pronounced dead at the scene following the wreck, which happened just before 12:50 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, at the intersection of Layhill and Norbeck roads, according to Montgomery County Police. Investigators say Kim was driving a 2021 Kia Seltos northbound on Layhill Road when a 2006 Freightliner truck pulling a Brazos trailer east on Norbeck Road slammed into her vehicle. The force of…
Two-Alarm Fire Collapses Maryland Mansion (DEVELOPING) Two-Alarm Fire Collapses Maryland Mansion (DEVELOPING)
Two-Alarm Fire Collapses Maryland Mansion (Developing) A massive fire tore through a home in Montgomery County, leaving a family of six displaced—but not before firefighters managed to save a group of newly acquired baby chicks, officials said. The fire broke out at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, in a large single-family home on Mary Mead Court in Potomac, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. Firefighters were dispatched after a call came in from the homeowners reporting flames coming from the roof.  The scene of the fire in Montgomery County. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO When first r…
Serial Metrobus Groper Learns Prison Fate In Maryland Serial Metrobus Groper Learns Prison Fate In Maryland
Serial Metrobus Groper Learns Prison Fate In Maryland A serial sex offender who repeatedly preyed on women riding public transit in Maryland and DC is now behind bars for good after a determined victim caught him in the act, officials said. Kokouvi Apetoh, 45, of Silver Spring, was sentenced to 26 years and 231 days in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and admitting to violating his probation in a previous metrobus groping case, according to Montgomery County prosecutors. Authorities say Apetoh, a registered sex offender, was a repeat predator who systematically targeted unsuspecting women on their daily commu…
Months-Long Search For Deadly Shooters Lands Two Behind Bars In Maryland: Police Months-Long Search For Deadly Shooters Lands Two Behind Bars In Maryland: Police
Months-Long Search For Deadly Shooters Lands Two Behind Bars In Maryland: Police A months-long investigation into a deadly Montgomery County shooting has led to murder charges against two men, authorities announced. Two men have been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Antoine Lavale Parker last fall, according to detectives.  The suspects have been identified as 65-year-old Erick Darryl West, of Gaithersburg, and 45-year-old Daryl James Howard, who was previously arrested on unrelated charges in Carroll County. Parker was found suffering from gunshot wounds inside his apartment in the 400 block of Christopher Avenue in Gaithersburg around 11…
Revenge Killer Caught On Camera At Maryland Restaurant Convicted, Prosecutors Say (VIDEOS) Revenge Killer Caught On Camera At Maryland Restaurant Convicted, Prosecutors Say (VIDEOS)
Revenge Killer Caught On Camera At Maryland Restaurant Convicted, Prosecutors Say (Videos) A Maryland man faces more than a century behind bars after being convicted for a brazen, caught-on-camera restaurant murder in Montgomery County that prosecutors say was a calculated act of retaliation. A jury found Markus Dowdy, 34, of Silver Spring, guilty of second-degree murder and other offenses following a violent shooting and assault that was caught on camera, prosecutors announced on Monday, March 3. Markus Tyrell Dowdy Montgomery The deadly shooting happened just before 6 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2023, at America’s Best Wings in the White Oak Shopping Center on New Hampshire Ave…
Dealer Rams Police Car, Buyer Caught With Drugs In Maryland, Police Say Dealer Rams Police Car, Buyer Caught With Drugs In Maryland, Police Say
Dealer Rams Police Car, Buyer Caught With Drugs In Maryland, Police Say A convicted felon is back behind bars after a botched drug deal in downtown Silver Spring ended with a police car getting rammed, a loaded stolen gun recovered, and felony charges stacked high, according to Montgomery County Police. The chaos kicked off around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, when plainclothes officers from the department's 3rd District spotted a suspected drug transaction during a proactive criminal enforcement operation. When officers moved in, the suspected buyer was caught with marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills—some of which they admitted buying from the dealer, po…
'Real Housewives' Star Karen Huger Learns Fate In Court After Maryland DUI 'Real Housewives' Star Karen Huger Learns Fate In Court After Maryland DUI
'Real Housewives' Star Karen Huger Learns Fate In Court After Maryland DUI Karen Huger, who made her name starring on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Potomac" had her day in court on Wednesday and learned her fate for a Maryland DUI. The 61-year-old was found guilty by a jury of driving under the influence, negligent driving, and other offenses following a March 2024 crash in Montgomery County. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, a judge sentenced Huger to two years, with one suspended, followed by five years probation. She has been on the show since it premiered in 2016. She is also a graduate of the University of Virginia, and is the "Grand Dame of Potomac," according to Br…
Driver Hits 100 MPH In Maryland Chase, Illegal Immigrants Seized: Sheriff Driver Hits 100 MPH In Maryland Chase, Illegal Immigrants Seized: Sheriff
Driver Hits 100 MPH In Maryland Chase, Illegal Immigrants Seized: Sheriff A dangerous high-speed chase through Frederick and Montgomery counties ended with four suspects in custody, including two identified as being in the country illegally, authorities said. The incident unfolded around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, when Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Roush spotted a suspicious white Nissan van near Route 85 and Grove Road.  The van attempted to evade police by veering onto a gravel path behind a shopping center, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. After running the van’s tags and discovering it was stolen, deputies initiat…
Same Armed Suspect Hits Two Maryland Banks In Six Days, Police Say Same Armed Suspect Hits Two Maryland Banks In Six Days, Police Say
Same Armed Suspect Hits Two Maryland Banks In Six Days, Police Say Detectives are searching for an armed suspect behind a string of bank robberies in Montgomery County and are asking for the public’s help after releasing new surveillance photos. The first heist happened at M&T Bank on Montgomery Avenue around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, according to Montgomery County Police.  Investigators say the suspect walked in, placed a handgun on the counter, and demanded cash, and the teller handed over the money, and the man fled with an undisclosed amount. Just six days later, around 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, the same suspect reportedly struck again…
Drug Dealer Who Posed With Handgun Used In Maryland Murder Learns Prison Fate Drug Dealer Who Posed With Handgun Used In Maryland Murder Learns Prison Fate
Drug Dealer Who Posed With Handgun Used In Maryland Murder Learns Prison Fate A 22-year-old Maryland man will spend decades in prison after being convicted of murdering Walter Woods during a drug deal gone bad in Montgomery County, the state's attorney's office announced. Javier Reyes, 23, of Silver Spring, was sentenced to 50 years in prison with 30 to serve after being found guilty of felony murder and use of a handgun in a crime of violence in connection to the death of the 20-year-old Takoma Park resident. Prosecutors say that on March 7, 2023, Reyes and Woods met at a neighborhood park on Hampshire Green Lane in Silver Spring to conduct a drug deal.  …
Two Killed By Suspended, Speeding Driver In Maryland: Sheriff Two Killed By Suspended, Speeding Driver In Maryland: Sheriff
Two Killed By Suspended, Speeding Driver In Maryland: Sheriff A Montgomery County man with a suspended license was speeding when he veered into oncoming traffic, causing a deadly head-on crash, investigators say. James Henry Walker, 43, of Dickerson, was behind the wheel of a 2015 Toyota Camry on a suspended license when he crossed the center line on Buckeystown Pike and slammed into a 2014 Hyundai Sonata, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said. The crash happened around 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, near Adamstown Road. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the Hyundai, Caitlynn Nicole James, 31, of Frederick, suffered …
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Many schools in Maryland and Virginia will be closed on Wednesday as the region continues to contend with the latest batch of winter weather that brought inches of snow and ice. Some schools were disrupted on Tuesday and dismissed students early, and even more are planning to close for the day on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with as many as six inches accumulating in some areas, leaving conditions on roadways tricky. Among the schools reported to be altering their dismissal times as of 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday:  Alexandria City Public Schools: All virtual; Arlington County Public Schools: Closed W…
Church Teacher Sexually Abused Four Children In Maryland: State's Attorney Church Teacher Sexually Abused Four Children In Maryland: State's Attorney
Church Teacher Sexually Abused Four Children In Maryland: State's Attorney A former teacher at a Montgomery County church admitted to sexually abusing minors, authorities announced on Monday. Germantown resident Ervin Alfaro-Lopez, 34, pleaded guilty on Feb. 10 to one count of sex abuse of a minor and three counts of third-degree sex offense following his arrest last year. In May of 2023, a victim reported being sexually assaulted by Alfaro-Lopez when he was her teacher at a church located in the 15700 block of Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood.  Following the initial complaint, three additional victims came forward, prosecutors said.  Each of the…
DC Man Convicted Of Murder, Child Abuse In Death Of GF’s Toddler In MD: 'Outrageously Sad Case' DC Man Convicted Of Murder, Child Abuse In Death Of GF’s Toddler In MD: 'Outrageously Sad Case'
DC Man Convicted Of Murder, Child Abuse In Death Of GF’s Toddler In MD: 'Outrageously Sad Case' A District man has been convicted of murder and child abuse in the horrific death of his girlfriend’s 16-month-old son, Montgomery County prosecutors announced. Marlon Adilson Melendez, 30, is facing life in prison, plus 65 years when he is sentenced in June in conection to the death of the boy in Silver Spring. The case began on March 11, 2023, when the child’s mother called 911, reporting that her son was not breathing after they had fallen asleep, police said. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital, and an autopsy revealed signs of child abuse, investigators said. While inte…
Man Busted With 2,000+ Fentanyl Pills In Maryland Maryland Learns Prison Fate Man Busted With 2,000+ Fentanyl Pills In Maryland Maryland Learns Prison Fate
Man Busted With 2,000+ Fentanyl Pills In Maryland Maryland Learns Prison Fate A Maryland man caught with thousands of fentanyl pills and an illegal firearm will be spending more than a decade behind bars, officials announced. Markus Carter, 22, of Silver Spring, was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with all but 12 years suspended, after pleading guilty to several drug and firearm charges, according to Montgomery County prosecutors.  Carter was arrested after investigators found more than 2,000 fentanyl pills in his possession along with an illegal firearm.  His downfall began at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, when officers conducted…
First Case Of Bird Flu At Commercial Broiler Farm In Maryland Confirmed First Case Of Bird Flu At Commercial Broiler Farm In Maryland Confirmed
First Case Of Bird Flu At Commercial Broiler Farm In Maryland Confirmed A highly contagious strain of avian influenza has reached a commercial broiler farm in Worcester County, making it the first confirmed case in the area and the ninth on the Delmarva Peninsula, agricultural officials announced. The Maryland Department of Agriculture reported the presumptive positive case of H5 avian influenza this week, marking the fifth infected commercial poultry farm on the Eastern Shore and the sixth in the state following a backyard flock case in Montgomery County. In total, nine commercial poultry farms in the Delmarva region—including two in Kent County, Delaware, and…
Icy Nightmare: Maryland Drivers Warned As Snowstorm Set To Cripple Roads Icy Nightmare: Maryland Drivers Warned As Snowstorm Set To Cripple Roads
Icy Nightmare: Maryland Drivers Warned As Snowstorm Set To Cripple Roads Forecasters are cautioning DMV residents to brace for tricky and potentially hazardous conditions as the latest round of winter weather sweeps through the region. A Winter Weather and Ice Storm Warning were put in effect on Wednesday that will remain in effect until Thursday morning on Feb. 6.  "Significant icing expected," the warning states. "Total ice accumulations between two and three tenths of an inch, (with) winds gusting as high as 35 mph. "Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Power outages and tree damage are lik…
Pregnant Woman Strangled, Assaulted By Bus Driver During Dispute In Maryland: Police Pregnant Woman Strangled, Assaulted By Bus Driver During Dispute In Maryland: Police
Pregnant Woman Strangled, Assaulted By Bus Driver During Dispute In Maryland: Police A Montgomery County Transit Services employee is facing multiple charges after allegedly strangling and assaulting a pregnant woman before throwing her to the ground outside a Ride On bus, police said. Paul Simms, 36, of Laurel, turned himself in on Tuesday, Feb. 4, after police obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police. The violent altercation unfolded the night before, on Monday, Feb. 3, when officers and emergency personnel responded to the 5400 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase for a reported assault. Investigators said Simms and …
Elementary School Parking Lot Shooter Sentenced For 2024 Maryland Murder Elementary School Parking Lot Shooter Sentenced For 2024 Maryland Murder
Elementary School Parking Lot Shooter Sentenced For 2024 Maryland Murder A man whose brother attempted to intimidate a witness following a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Maryland elementary school will avoid life in prison in connection to the death of 21-year-old Martin Nolan in Montgomery County. Silver Spring resident Keith Delcid-Palacios was found guilty on murder and other offenses, and his brother was charged for allegedly attempting to intimidate a witness during an incident that played out in January 2021, authorities announced this week. On Monday, Feb. 3, the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office announced that Delcid-Palacios has b…
Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland
Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland A highly contagious strain of avian influenza has been detected in a Montgomery County backyard flock, prompting quarantines and immediate depopulation of affected birds, state officials announced. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI), a deadly airborne virus that spreads easily among birds. Maryland Department of Agriculture officials have taken swift action to prevent further spread, ensuring that birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system. Final confirmation from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinar…
Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police
Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police A bold home invasion in Montgomery County took a turn when an armed suspect posing as a police officer forced his way into a Gaithersburg residence and demanded money, authorities said. Montgomery County Police say the break-in happened at approximately 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, when a man knocked on the door of a home in the 200 block of Hannes Street. When the homeowner answered, the suspect flashed a badge from inside his jacket and falsely identified himself as a police officer before stepping inside, officials said. Once inside, the suspect pulled out a black handgun and deman…
NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police
NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police A New York man led police on a dangerous crime spree through Maryland and Virginia with his missing 4-year-old daughter in tow, authorities say. Esmeraldo Martinez De La Cruz, 32, is facing attempted murder, home invasion, and child neglect charges after a chaotic string of crimes that began in Montgomery County and ended in Virginia with his arrest. The crime spree began this week at around 4:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, when Montgomery County Police responded to a hit-and-run crash at Route 355 and Watkins Mill Road in Gaithersburg. Witnesses saw Martinez and his 4-year-old daughter, Luna…
Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail
Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail Some prankster tried to stir up a situation in Montgomery County this week, but Maryland Park Police officials were quick to squash the tall tale. A sign warning: "DANGER DO NOT DISTURB THE ALLIGATORS" was found along the Sligo Creek Trail in Takoma Park, but it was quickly debunked by officials, who swiftly removed it. "Our alligators are not dead or sleeping," the sign states. "This time of year, alligators enter 'brumation,' the reptile version of hibernation. They may remain immobile for days, their metabolism slowed to the bare minimum. "But don't be fooled! They are easily startled, …
Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse
Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse Residents of a Montgomery County townhouse got a scare on Sunday morning when they woke up to the sound of smoke alarms going off in Wheaton, fire officials said. Crews were called at around 2:45 a.m. on Jan. 26 to a home on Lester Street, where they were met by frigid temperatures, smoke billowing from the building, flames showing, and a partial structure collapse. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Firefighters were quickly able to get the flames knocked down, but not before an electric meter was damaged, leaving several families without power and forcing a temporary evacuation of some residents. …
Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops
Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops An 18-year-old burglary suspect is in custody after leading Montgomery County police on a high-speed chase through Gaithersburg before crashing into a parked car, authorities say. Officers responded to a report of a commercial burglary on the 8000 block of Cessna Ave. around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, where they spotted a black Cadillac CT5 leaving the scene.  When police attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver - later identified as 18-year-old Michael Evan Cutler - took off, prompting a pursuit that continued down I-27 and onto I-495. The chase ended when the Cadillac …
Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say
Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say A Maryland man is behind bars after allegedly stalking and sexually assaulting a woman in Montgomery County, and police are concerned there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. Rockville resident Marvin Alexander De Leon Siguenza, 36, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 16, following an investigation by the Montgomery County Department of Police into several incidents, authorities announced.  Authorities say he approached his victim multiple times before the assault, sparking concerns that his behavior may not have been an isolated incident. The investigation began after…
Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder
Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder More than a month after a driver allegedly intentionally struck at least three people outside a Montgomery County courthouse, authorities announced that a man has been arrested. Walter Giovanni Marquez-Aviles, 44, is facing multiple charges after investigators determined that he intentionally rammed his vehicle into his victims. The Gaithersburg resident was involved in the crash at around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, near the 100 block of East Montgomery Avenue. Police said that he crashed his dark-colored SUV and fled the area, two of whom - a 79-year-old woman and 18-year-…
Home Invaders Lead High-Speed Chase Crossing County Lines In Maryland: Sheriff Home Invaders Lead High-Speed Chase Crossing County Lines In Maryland: Sheriff
Home Invaders Lead High-Speed Chase Crossing County Lines In Maryland: Sheriff A violent home invasion in Frederick County early Sunday morning led to multiple arrests, gunfire, and a high-speed chase spanning three counties and Washington, DC, authorities said. Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to a robbery in progress at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 19 in the 5600 block of Doubs Road in Adamstown, officials reported.  As deputies arrived, gunshots rang out from inside the home, setting off a chain of events that kept law enforcement busy for hours. Two residents of the home were found in their vehicle in the driveway and …
Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say
Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shootings of two Montgomery County residents after one was found dead in the back of a BMW, authorities said. Kaloyan Dimov Stoev, 25, has been arrested and charged in connection to the fatal shootings of Rockville residents Marcell Jordan Hebron - also known as "Lil Xelly" -  and 27-year-old Leilani Marroquin on Friday, Jan. 17, Montgomery County police said. An officer from Montgomery County Police spotted a white BMW sitting at the intersection of Shady Grove Road and Research Boulevard around 3:15 a.m. Fr…