Deputies Participate in 25th Annual Christmas in April

Upper Marlboro, MD… Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin C. Palmer joined deputies, correctional officers and community volunteers Saturday for the 25^th Annual Christmas in April program at a residence in Landover, MD. 

Volunteers painted the interior and exterior of the residence, cut and trimmed trees and hedges, mulched flower beds and cut grass. A team of volunteers went to the home in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s event to make repairs to the electrical wiring of the home.

Sheriff Melvin High, who was on hand to meet the homeowners, said, “The Christmas in April concept has endured for so many years from its beginning in 1973, and this year marks the 25^th year here in the County. We’ve made a lot of people happy since then, and have gone home tired and happy ourselves. It’s good work and it’s a joy.”

More than 25 volunteers participated in Saturday’s day of service; contributing to thousands of dollars worth of repairs and upgrades to the residence.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Deputies Honored at 36th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards

Upper Marlboro, MD… Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III joined Sheriff Melvin C. High, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, Police Chief Mark Magaw and Department of Corrections Director Mary Lou McDonough Wednesday at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD, for the 36^th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards.

Three Sheriff’s Deputies were honored with the Silver Medal of Valor for heroic efforts that helped save the lives of a Capitol Heights family. Corporal Daniel Hardester and Privates Ricardo Dennis and Dwayne Stevenson were on the scene of a domestic violence call when they heard screams for help coming from across the street.

They noticed smoke coming from the rear of a single-family home and, without hesitation, entered the residence to search for occupants. The deputies safely evacuated three children and an adult from the residence, preventing a potentially tragic situation.

Corporal Mauricio Casanova was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor and Deputy Sheriff of the Year for his bravery and decisive actions during an April 2012, shooting. Casanova, along with members from the Sheriff’s Landlord and Tenant Division responded to a residence in Hyattsville to execute a court ordered eviction. As deputies attempted to enter the residence they were met with resistance from the homeowner, and the situation turned volatile.

Fearing for their safety, deputies discharged their firearms as they moved to positions of cover. As shots were fired, Casanova noticed the locksmith, who had been on the scene to assist deputies with entry into the home, scrambling to get out of the line of fire. Casanova, without regard for his own personal safety, left his position of cover, ran to the locksmith and covered him with his own body until the shooting stopped.

Sheriff High, the President of this year’s Public Safety Valor Awards, said, “The four Deputies honored today represent the very best of the law enforcement profession. I commend them for their brave and heroic efforts, and I salute all of today’s honorees who have dedicated themselves to serving others.”

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Sheriff High Joins Comptroller Peter Franchot in College Park, MD

Sheriff High and Chief Assistant Sheriff Palmer joined Comptroller Peter Franchot as he presented the College Park Volunteer Fire Department with a Proclamation in recognition of their dedication and exemplary service to the local community.

Deputies Arrest Attempted Murder Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Monday of Antonio Jones on a warrant for Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder obtained by County Police District IV officers on April 6^th, 2013.

According to the warrant, Jones was involved in an argument with a female victim in the 700 block of Cady Dr. in Oxon Hill MD, on April 6, 2013. Following the argument, Jones entered the driver’s side of his vehicle, subsequently striking the victim with the vehicle and running over her.

Deputies investigating the whereabouts of Jones were led to a residence in the 1900 block of Glendora Dr. in District Heights, MD, where they located and arrested him without incident.

District IV detectives were notified of the arrest and Jones was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder and First Degree Assault.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Deputies Close 3 Warrants with Arrest of Failure to Appear/Violation of Probation Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Thursday of Melsun Perry on multiple arrest warrants for Violation of Probation (VOP) and Failure to Appear (FTA), issued by the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, MD, on December 20, 2012.

According to court documents, two warrants were issued for Perry for FTA for Destruction of Property and another issued for VOP for Illegal Transportation of a Handgun. Perry also had a Grand Larceny warrant from Fairfax County, Virginia.

Deputies, with assistance from the US Marshals Joint Warrant Task Force, located and apprehended Perry at a residence in the 6000 block of Hil Mar Dr. in Forestville, MD.

The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County was notified of Perry’s arrest and he was transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center – charged with Failure to Appear Destruction of Property and Violation of Probation for Illegal Transportation of a Handgun.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Felony Theft Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Wednesday of Charles Dawson on an arrest warrant for Felony Theft Scheme issued by the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, MD, on April 3, 2013.

Dawson was indicted by a Prince George’s County Grand Jury on charges of Theft Scheme, Conspiracy to commit Theft Scheme and Forgery of Private Documents. Dawson allegedly committed the crimes between December 30, 2011 and April 20, 2012.

Deputies investigating the whereabouts of Dawson were led to the Bowie, MD, area where they located him travelling in a vehicle; they initiated a traffic stop, and took him into custody without incident.

The Circuit Court was notified of Dawson’s arrest and he was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with Felony Theft Scheme, Conspiracy to commit Theft Scheme and Forgery of Private Documents.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Melvin C. High Scholarship Applications Available

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Sheriff’s Office announced the opening of the application period for the 2013 Melvin C. High Scholarship award. Three scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 toward the cost of tuition and fees or books, are awarded to deserving Prince George’s County High School graduating seniors. This year’s award is the third annual award. 

 Applications for the Melvin C. High Scholarship award are available in the offices of all Prince George’s High School Guidance Counselors and are available through the link on the front page of the Sheriff’s website at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Sheriff.

The Melvin C. High Scholarship was founded in the Office of the Sheriff by Sheriff Melvin C. High in 2011, with the first seniors receiving awards from the 2011 graduating class. “Our goal is to recognize the well-rounded student, not just the academic achiever,” said Sheriff High.

The application closing date is May 10, 2013. Applications will be collected from high school guidance counselors during the week after the closing date; application packages mailed to the Office of the Sheriff must be postmarked no later than May10, 2013.

A Scholarship Committee reviews all applications to pick the recipients.  Once the winners are announced, the Office of the Sheriff makes checks available to the college/university at the time of registration.  In order for an application to be considered, in addition to being a Prince George’s County resident, the student must be:

·         Accepted for admission to an accredited college or university

·         Be involved in community service or extracurricular school activities

·         Have his/her G.P.A documented by the guidance counselor

·         Provide a letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty

·         Complete a one-page essay answering the question: “How will a college education change your life and your future?

For additional information on the Melvin C. High Scholarship, contact Lt. Col. Regina Taylor at 301-780-7495. For information on this release, please contact the Press Information Office …..

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