Calvert County State's Attorney's Office

Calvert County State's Attorney's Office The State's Attorney's Office is responsible for the enforcement of State criminal laws within Calve

Official page of the Calvert County state's Attorney's Office. Please understand that we reserve the right to remove any comments that are disrespectful, indecent, or denigrating. The State's Attorney's Office presents cases in the District and Circuit Court. Our District Courthouse is located on 200 Duke Street, Prince Frederick, Maryland. Cases in the District Court include misdemeanor

s (e.g., destruction of property, theft, assault, drug possession) and jailable traffic offenses (e.g., drunk driving, fleeing and eluding). Our Circuit Courthouse is located on 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, Maryland. Cases in the Circuit Court include felonies (e.g., murder, robbery, kidnapping, sexual offenses, r**e, burglary, drug distribution). Jury trial prayers and appeals from the District Court are prosecuted in the Circuit Court by the State's Attorney's Office. The State's Attorney's Office also handles child support and juvenile cases. Our child support as well as our juvenile division are located in the Circuit Courthouse building. The State's Attorney's Office has specialized Victim/Witness advocates that informs victims of the status of criminal prosecution. The State's Attorney's Office regularly consults with the Deputies of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office during criminal investigations.

09/29/2022

Commodore Convicted of Two Counts of First Degree Assault

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey reports that on September 28, 2022, Adam Commodore, age 41, was found guilty of two counts of felony first degree assault, as well as two counts of reckless endangerment, following a trial before the Honorable Mark S. Chandlee of the Calvert County Circuit Court. The case was prosecuted by Calvert County Assistant State’s Attorney Benjamin G. Lerner.

On August 28, 2021, Maryland State Police responded to an address in St. Leonard for the report of an assault. When State Troopers arrived, they observed two individuals on the ground, covered in blood and going in and out of consciousness. A wooden 2x4 with blood stains was observed on the ground. Troopers also made contact with Adam Commodore, who was standing over the injured individuals. The State Police secured the scene and EMS arrived to provide treatment for the injuries. Through investigation and witness interviews, it was learned that Adam Commodore had used the wooden 2x4 to repeatedly strike both of the injured individuals, causing their injuries. Both victims were transported to the hospital for further medical intervention. One victim was diagnosed with a depressed skull fracture, while the other victim received treatment and sutures due to numerous head wounds.

Sentencing in the case is set for December 20, 2022. The maximum penalty for each count of first degree assault is 25 years, while each count of reckless endangerment has a maximum penalty of 5 years. Commodore is being held at the Calvert County Detention Center.

09/29/2022

PRESS RELEASE

State’s Attorney to Begin Student “Shadowing” Program

The Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the criminal justice program at Calvert County Public Schools, has initiated a program that will permit high school students to “shadow” prosecutors as they litigate cases in Circuit and District Court. The students will be able to observe actual courtroom proceedings to learn first-hand how the criminal justice system operates. So far, students from Calvert and Patuxent High Schools have signed-up. State’s Attorney Robert Harvey encourages more students to participate. The program will kick-off on October 7, 2022.

09/29/2022

PRESS RELEASE

Osborne Sentenced for Attempted Second Degree Murder

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey reports that on September 26, 2022, Jeffrey Scott Osborne, age 50, received a sentence of 30 years, suspended to 13 years of active incarceration, for the crime of attempted second degree murder. The sentence, imposed by Judge Mark S. Chandlee, was in excess of that recommended by the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines. Osborne will be on 5 years of supervised probation upon release, which cannot occur until he has served at least half of his sentence.

In asking for a sentence above the Guidelines, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte cited Osborne’s “predatory behavior” on May 1, 2021, in attempting to run-over the
23-year old victim with his vehicle. Mr. Monte also noted that Osborne had shown little, if any, remorse for his actions.

09/26/2022

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Wheeler Sentenced for Narcotics Offense

On September 26, 2022, Steven Terrell Wheeler, 27, of Beltsville, MD, was sentenced in Calvert County Circuit to 12 years imprisonment for the crime of possession with intent to distribute co***ne. He also received an additional 7 years for a violation of probation in a 2020 assault case, for a total sentence of 19 years.

Wheeler was initially arrested for violating a protective order in an unrelated case and taken to the County Detention Center. Once there, he was found to be in possession of $3,053.00, 58 baggies containing 16 ½ grams of crack co***ne, and 1 bag containing 23 grams of co***ne powder.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey wishes to thank Senior State’s Attorney Lee Ann Bell for her outstanding work on this case. In addition to the prison sentence, the State is seeking forfeiture of the money.

07/18/2022

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Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announces that a jury has convicted Joshua Ryan Gantt, 27, of Prince Frederick, of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Second Degree R**e, and 3 related charges. The jury returned its verdict on July 14, 2022, after a 3-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2022.
Gantt was a close friend of the victim’s family and they often traveled together. The victim reported the abuse in August, 2021, when he was 13 years old. He told investigators that Gantt had been molesting him over a 4-year period at various locations both inside and outside of Calvert County.
Mr. Harvey wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero and the entire investigative team for their outstanding work in this case. Gantt has been incarcerated since his arrest on September 14, 2021. He faces a significant period of incarceration at sentencing in November.

07/12/2022

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Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey reports that on July 11, 2022, Travis Benjamin Ridgely, 34, of Lusby, pleaded guilty to first degree premeditated murder. The plea was accepted by Judge Mark S. Chandlee of the Calvert County Circuit Court.

Ridgely was convicted of the murder of Selena Noel Persinger. Police were called to Persinger’s residence in Lusby on January 28, 2022. Upon entry, Ms. Persinger’s body was found lying on the kitchen floor. Evidence revealed that she had been strangled to death and that her truck was missing. Video surveillance cameras captured Ridgley leaving the victim’s residence and driving away in the truck. He subsequently crashed the truck in Charles County and was apprehended. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Ridgely admitted to Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Detectives that he killed Ms. Persinger after an argument over money.

Sentencing has been scheduled for November 14, 2022. First degree murder carries a sentence of life imprisonment. By law, Ridgely will not be eligible for parole consideration until he has served at least 20 years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, the Defendant forfeited his right of appeal, his right to request a modification of sentence, and other post-trial rights.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Timothy J. Maher and Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero.

07/05/2022

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

On June 30, 2022, a Calvert County jury convicted Ilene B. Claggett-Hurley of Owings of 2 counts of Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, Second Degree Assault, and Reckless Endangerment. The jury deliberated a mere 44 minutes before returning its verdict.

The Defendant was the primary caregiver for the bedridden, elderly victim. On December 21, 2021, the Defendant was recorded on nanny-cam video cursing and berating the victim, pulling her forcibly from the bed, and physically abusing her. Because of her condition, the victim was unable to defend herself or call for help.

After the verdict, Claggett-Hurley’s bond was revoked and she was remanded to the Calvert County Detention Center. Sentencing is scheduled in October before Judge Andrew S. Rappaport. The Defendant is facing a total of 25 years incarceration.

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey wishes to commend the family of the victim for reporting this matter to the police and for assisting in the prosecution of this case. He also wishes to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Benjamin G. Lerner for his outstanding work on the case.

06/29/2022

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June was a particularly busy month for the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office in terms of training opportunities. From June 13-15, all attorneys attended the annual training conference in Ocean City sponsored by the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association. During the week of June 27, Deputy State’s Attorney Timothy J. Maher received training in homicide prosecutions through the National District Attorney’s Association in Chicago. Assistant State’s Attorneys April N. Brown and Sierrah J. Beeler attended a 1-day seminar on street gang prosecutions offered by the National Gang Center in Gaithersburg.

06/22/2022

PRESS RELEASE

Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announces that on June 21, 2022, Jermaine Parvell Mason, 40, of Prince Frederick, entered a guilty plea for the charge of driving while impaired by alcohol as a subsequent offender. The plea was entered before visiting Judge Robert C. Wilcox of the District Court of Maryland. Judge Wilcox scheduled sentencing on July 6, 2022. Mason is facing a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment and/or a $500 fine.

The incident in question occurred on January 7, 2022. Mason, an off-duty Calvert County Sheriff’s Deputy, was allegedly driving his marked patrol vehicle when he crossed the center line on Dares Beach Road and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle was seriously injured. Shortly after the incident, Mr. Mason resigned from the Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being handled by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.

06/14/2022

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Christopher J. Monte, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney for Calvert County, is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Victoria F. Gelfman Legal Excellence Award. The Award is given annually to one Maryland prosecutor in recognition of his/her contributions to the legal profession. It includes a $5,000 stipend.
Mr. Monte is the driving force behind Calvert County’s Animal Cruelty Task Force. In the past year, he obtained the County’s first felony animal cruelty conviction and was instrumental in the dismantling of a major dogfighting ring. The operators of the ring were convicted and sent to prison. Mr. Monte also handles responsibility for the prosecution of felony cases in Calvert County Circuit Court. He is a mentor to attorneys and law enforcement officers throughout the State.

Mr. Monte is a classically-trained musician, who, prior to becoming an attorney, performed with major symphony orchestras across the country. In his spare time, he plays third base on a local baseball team.
Although the Award recognizes Mr. Monte’s contributions to the people of Maryland and the citizens of Calvert County, it is not simply an individual award. According to State’s Attorney Robert Harvey, without the help of the entire staff of the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Award would not have been possible.

06/08/2022

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In the first 6 months of 2022, the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office has provided over 50 hours of in-person instructional training to local law enforcement officers. The bulk of the training has been held at the Southern Maryland Police Academy for Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Charles County deputies. The training has focused on new legislation and recent developments in criminal law. Recently, State’s Attorney Robert Harvey, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte, provided a PowerPoint presentation to all Calvert County deputies on crash investigations and procedures for obtaining blood alcohol samples in impaired driving cases. Finally, the office provides monthly written updates to the Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police on new criminal law decisions from the Maryland appellate courts.

06/02/2022

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In March, 2020, the State’s Attorney’s Office initiated an in-house training program for attorneys. The idea was to invite prominent members of the legal profession to come and speak about topics of interest in criminal law and procedure.

The most recent guest was the Honorable Michael P. Whalen, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County (retired) who spoke on opening statements and closing arguments in criminal trials. Previous speakers have included Chief Judge E. Gregory Wells of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, Andrew Jezic, renowned criminal defense attorney from Rockville, and Joe Murtha, who represented Linda Tripp during the Clinton impeachment proceedings.

The intent in the future is to open these presentations to all practicing lawyers in Calvert County.

Address

175 Main Street
Prince Frederick, MD
20678

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14105351600

Website

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