517 Warrants Closed as Violent Offender Warrant Sweep (VOWS) Continues

Upper Marlboro, MD…In the 6th week of the VOWS operation to serve violent offender and other warrants the Sheriff’s Office Warrant/Fugitive Division said the operation has resulted in 289 arrests to dispose of 517 warrants. The operation is funded with a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention.

The kickoff of the VOWS operation on July 14, 2013 was a successful one with 85 arrests to close 104 warrants. “The original results seem to have set a tone for this operation.  The quality of preparation is critical to success and we are very pleased by the results,” said Captain Mints, Assistant Bureau Chief of Field Operations and operational manager of the initiative.

The Division reported that the number of detainers has also increased from 19 to 78.  A Detainer is filed for crimes for which a suspect must be extradited from another jurisdiction to the jurisdiction with an outstanding warrant; it asks the other jurisdiction to “detain” the suspect pending extradition by the Sheriff’s Office.  A Detainer also indicates that the suspect’s case has not been adjudicated before the courts in Prince George’s County.

“As we continue to focus resources on the most violent offenders, who represent the greatest danger to our communities, the apprehensions and warrants closed in the most violent crime categories are important,” said LTC Regina Taylor. Citing specific crimes, Taylor went on to say that warrants have been served in five (5) Murder and attempted Murder, nine (9) Armed Robbery and Robbery and 25 Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance cases. Taylor said 119 Assault warrants have been served, the largest category of warrants closed.  Additionally, two guns have been seized.

 For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.    
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Deputies Arrest Second Drug Trafficking Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest last Thursday of Tiffany Williams on an arrest warrant for Possession of a Firearm in relation to a Drug Trafficking warrant obtained by County Police Narcotic Enforcement Detectives (NED) on July 29, 2013.

Pursuant to the Arrest Warrant, Police Detectives conducted a court ordered search and seizure warrant on July 9, 2013 at an address in the 1500 block of Elkwood Lane in Capitol Heights believed to be the address of Tiffany Williams and Dion Owens. The search revealed individual heat sealed baggies containing 23.5 grams of suspected Marijuana, digital scales with marijuana residue, $4,800.00 in U.S. Currency, a loaded .40 caliber handgun and a ballistics vest.

Subsequent to the search, two separate arrest warrants were issued for Tiffany Williams and Dion Owens, who were determined to be involved in narcotics trafficking by the NED. Dion Owns was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies on August 5^th.  Information related to the August 5^tharrest of Dion Owens is available at the PGSO News Blog: http://pgsheriff.blogspot.com/2013/08/deputies-arrest-drug-trafficking-suspect.html

Williams was arrested on August 8, 2013 when Deputies investigating her whereabouts were led to an address in the 700 block of Streamside Drive in Bowie where they located Williams hiding in a bedroom closet. She was identified and taken into custody. She was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

Williams has been charged as a co-defendant with Dion Owens and she was also charged with Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Possession with the Intent to Distribute. NED was notified of Williams’ arrest.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.       
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First Degree Assault Suspect Arrested in Bladensburg

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest of Brandon Williams Mondayonan arrest warrant for  First Degree Assault warrant obtained by County Police on July 2, 2013.

According to Charging Documents, in early July, Williams and a girlfriend were involved in a verbal disagreement that turned physical. During the argument, as the victim stood alongside a vehicle in which Williams was inside, he allegedly grabbed ahold of the her shirt collar and without letting go proceeded to place the car in reverse for approximately four to six feet before switching to forward drive and fleeing. The victim sustained injuries and was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center for treatment and was later released.   

Deputies investigating Williams’ whereabouts were led to a residence in the 4200 block of 58^th Avenue in Bladensburg where they located and apprehended him without incident. Williams was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

He is also charged with one count of Second Degree Assault.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.                                                                           ###

Deputies Arrest Drug Trafficking Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Monday of Dion Owens on an arrest warrant for Possession of a Firearm in relation to a Drug Trafficking warrant obtained by County Police Narcotic Enforcement Detectives (NED) on July 29, 2013.

According to the warrant, County Police Detectives executed a court ordered search and seizure warrant at a residence in Capitol Heights, MD, and found 23.5 grams of suspected marijuana, 3 digital scales with drug residue, $4,800.00 in U.S. Currency, a loaded .40 caliber handgun, a ballistic vest, and various documents with Owens’s name. Following a search of the residence and further investigation, detectives sought an arrest warrant for Owens.

Deputies investigating Owens’s whereabouts were led to a residence in the 5100 block of Southern Ave. in Capitol Heights, MD, where they located and apprehended him without incident.

NED was notified of Owens’ arrest and he was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, charged with Possession of a Firearm in relation to Drug Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the intent to Distribute and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance Paraphernalia.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.

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PGSO participates in 2013 National Night Out

Sheriff High and members of the Sheriff’s Office joined the Prince George’s County community and various community leaders yesterday in observance of the 30^th annual National Night Out (NNO), “America’s Night Out Against Crime”.

For more on the National Night Out visit: www.natw.org

Melvin C. High Scholarship Winners All Attending University of Maryland

Upper Marlboro, MD… Sheriff Melvin C. High awarded scholarships to three Prince George’s County High School (Class of 2012) graduates today during the third annual Melvin C. High Scholarship Awards Presentation.  All three winners will attend the University of Maryland-College Park this fall.

                               

Parents and family were in attendance at the Sheriff’s Headquarters to congratulate Cadeem Franklin of Oxon Hill High School and Dariya Brown of Bishop McNamara High School as they accepted scholarships checks in the amount of $1,000 each. The third scholarship winner who is already taking classes is Shalom Keflezghi of High Point High School.  The Scholarships, named after Sheriff High, are fully funded by the Sheriff.

“We received over 90 applications from outstanding young high school graduates,” said Sheriff High. “This scholarship is something I do because my interest is in young people reaching their greatest potential and because someone helped me.”

In congratulating the winners Sheriff High asked three things of the students: that they stay focused and on course, that they be good parents when they become parents and that they reach back to help someone coming behind them.

Lt. Colonel Regina Taylor, Bureau Chief of Field Operations, whose staff coordinates the scholarship application process read comments written about each student from recommendation letters.  “While academic achievement is certainly an important criterion, we look for the well-rounded students and you all fit the bill. We are extremely proud of the work you have done and will continue to do. The Sheriff and staff wish you the best in all your endeavors.” said Lt. Colonel Taylor

After an Academic Committee narrows the selection of applications down to ten finalists, an outside, independent Scholarship Committee is asked to review the applications of the ten finalists to pick the winners.  This year’s committee included Retired Fire/EMS Battalion Commander Thelmetria Michaelides, Ms. Elaine Zammet, Legislative Assistant to Delegate Aisha Braveboy and Derrick Coley, Citizens Services Specialist for Councilman Obie Patterson.

   For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Five New Deputy Sheriffs Graduate Police Academy Session 123

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Sheriff’s Office welcomed five new Deputy Sheriffs who graduated from the Prince George’s County Police Training Academy on Tuesday, July 23^rd.  Deputy Sheriffs Lakisha Brooks, Corey Hynson, Tiffany Pullam, Phillip Turner and Mary Anne Windsor, all successfully completed eight rigorous months of Police Academy basic training as members of Session 123.  

Family and friends of the Deputies gathered at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD to see their loved ones sworn in and to witness their commitment to Protect and Serve the citizens of Prince George’s County.

Sheriff High joined County Executive Rushern L. Baker and other public safety agency heads in congratulating the graduates for their accomplishments and successful completion of the academy.

Of 47 graduates, Deputy Windsor received the Steven F. Gaughan Memorial Award for Academic Achievement for having the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in the class.  Deputy Hynson graduated with the third highest overall Marksmanship score.

Four of the five Deputies are graduates of Prince George’s County High Schools.

“We are proud to welcome these new Deputies. Their achievements in a very rigorous police academy llustrate the success available to people who are passionate about a positive future,” said Sheriff High. “New recruits, as a part of our overall hiring strategy, bring a fresh and contemporary perspective to public safety.”

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.      
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