Garrett County, Maryland Sheriff's Office

09/11/2026

25 years later, we will never forget the men and women who sacrificed their lives on that September day. We remember the first responders, the brave men and women who ran toward danger, and every innocent life lost. Their courage, sacrifice, and memory will never be forgotten.

09/03/2026

Oakland resident sentenced to 25 years for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

PRESS RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

09/03/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On September 3, 2026, around 9:30 am, correctional staff with the Garrett County Detention Center located inmate Vernon Reed Platter, 69 years old, Mountain Lake Park, unresponsive in his cell. Staff immediately began CPR and contacted 911. Southern Garrett Rescue responded where life saving measures continued. Platter was pronounced deceased by emergency medical service personnel and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

The death appears to be from natural causes, and an investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police, and the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

09/01/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 27, 2026, deputies arrested Joseph Michael Collins, 47 years old, Deer Park, on the strength of a District Court Bench Warrant for Failing to Obey a Court Order. Collins is currently being held in the Garrett County Detention Center.

09/01/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 27, 2026, deputies arrested Brayden Lane Shaffer, 18 years old, Oakland, on the strength of an arrest warrant charging him with the following:

🔴 Motor Vehicle Theft
🔴 Attempted Motor Vehicle Theft
🔴 Theft
🔴 Destruction of Property
🔴 Rogue and Vagabond

Shaffer was transported to the Garrett County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bond.

09/01/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 29, 2026, around 5:55 pm, deputies responded to the 600 block of P Street to assist the fire department with a fire.

During the course of the investigation, Vernon Reed Platter, 69 years old, Mountain Lake Park, threatened to burn the building down and kill the deputies. As deputies attempted to place Platter under arrest, he assaulted the deputies.

Platter was arrested and charged with the following:
• Arson Threat
• 2 Counts of Second-Degree Assault

Platter was transported to the Garrett County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bond.

09/01/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 30, 2026, around 5:20pm, deputies stopped a vehicle along Marsh Hill Road for traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop a Sheriff’s Office K-9 was utilized and conducted a K-9 scan of the vehicle which resulted in a positive alert.

A search of the driver and vehicle resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The driver of the vehicle, Chase Thomas Elsey, 29 years old, Oakland, was arrested and charged with:
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Paraphernalia

Elsey was transported to the Garrett County Detention Center where he was later released on his own recognizance after appearing before a District Court Commissioner.

08/30/2026

🍎📚 Wishing Garrett County a Safe and Successful School Year! 🚌

Sheriff Meyers and the staff of the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish all Garrett County students, teachers, school staff, and bus drivers a safe, happy, and productive school year!

Please remember to slow down in school zones, watch for school buses and children, and be patient and alert as students travel to and from school.

Let’s work together as a community to support our schools, encourage our students, and keep Garrett County a safe place for everyone.

Have a wonderful school year, Garrett County!

08/25/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 25, 2026, around 11:20 am, Deputies and Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division responded to the 200 block of West Main Street, Kitzmiller, for a report of an assault. The investigation revealed that the suspect assaulted two individuals, struck an individual with a vehicle and fled the scene with a 6-month-old child in the vehicle, on the driver’s lap.

While enroute deputies located the suspect traveling along Kitzmiller Road where a traffic stop was initiated and deputies made contact with the suspect, Myka Nicole DeWitt, 32 years old, Oakland. Deputies also located a 6-month-old child seated in the front passenger seat with no car seat.

One of the victims was transported to Garrett Regional Medical Center by Southern Garrett Rescue Squad for treatment of injuries, with a second victim being treated on the scene for injuries. The 6-month-old child was later released to family members.

As a result of the investigation, Myka Nicole DeWitt was arrested and charged with the following:

• First Degree Assault
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Assault
• 3 counts of Reckless Endangerment
• Child Neglect

Sheriff Meyers stated, “I would like to thank the Deputies, Detectives, and Medical Personnel for their quick response to the scene, providing treatment to the victims, and apprehending the suspect in a timely manner”.

Southern Rescue, Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Department, Elk District Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with providing medical treatment to the victims.

08/25/2026

From the desk of Sheriff Bryson Meyers:

On August 24, 2026, the Garrett County Narcotics Task Force, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, conducted a traffic stop in Oakland, MD.

During the traffic stop, a Maryland State Police K-9 was utilized to conduct a K-9 scan of the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert.

A subsequent search led to the recovery of approximately 2.8 grams of suspected fentanyl and approximately 5 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:

Ashley Upole, 32, of Oakland, Maryland
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
• Possession of Fentanyl
• Possession of Methamphetamine

Robert Sypolt, 41, of Oakland, Maryland
• Possession of Fentanyl

Upole and Sypolt were transported to the Garrett County Detention Center for processing.

The Garrett County Narcotics Task Force is a cooperative enforcement effort between the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, and the Garrett County State’s Attorney’s Office.