9-Time Convicted Pocomoke Felon Is Sentenced

(For Immediate Release)

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg sentenced Skky Townsend, age 29, of Pocomoke, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Legg enhanced Townsend’s sentence upon finding that he is a career offender, based on nine previous convictions, including drug related crimes..
 
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Worcester County Sheriff Reggie T. Mason, Sr.; and Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby.
 
“With today’s sentencing, we are demonstrating to our citizens on the eastern shore the result of outstanding partnerships. ATF works in conjunction with our state and local counterparts in putting the most violent offenders in jail for significant periods of time,” says ATF Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop. “This alliance promotes ATF’s mission to reduce violent crime by keeping these criminals out of our communities for decades, as in the case of Skyy Townsend. It is our expectation that our combined efforts will result in safer communities.”
 
“Today’s sentencing speaks volumes about how strong partnerships, regional coalitions and unwavering resolve can achieve harsher penalties for local offenders,” said Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby.
 
According to Townsend’s plea agreement, on December 18, 2008, members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at an apartment on Bonneville Avenue in Pocomoke. As the Sheriff’s Tactical Armed Response Team entered the apartment, Skky Townsend, and co-defendant Omar Williams, jumped out of the second story window. Because two WCSO Deputies were located at the rear of the building, Townsend and Williams were quickly apprehended. During the search of the apartment, Deputies recovered 14.3 grams of crack cocaine, a Colt .45 auto caliber pistol, and an RG Industries .22 LR caliber revolver.
 
Townsend admits that he conspired with Omar Williams, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute the crack cocaine recovered from the apartment.
 
Williams pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and was incarcerated for over two years when he was sentenced to time served.
 
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney John W. Sippel, who prosecuted the case.

Dozens Arrested In Huge Drug Sweep

To the Worcester County State's Attorney's Office and ALL law enforcement agencies involved in this long over do task THANKYOU!! 

SNOW HILL – Worcester County authorities indicted 44 people over the weekend, wrapping a broad six-month drug distribution investigation in Snow Hill and Pocomoke City.

The Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed nine drug-related search and seizure warrants. Police took two juveniles and 38 others, ranging in age from 19 to 55, into custody. Most arrests were related to crack cocaine possession or distribution. The sum of all their bonds comes to $2.83 million.


Authorities say the goal of the operation was to have “an immediate and major impact” on all levels of drug dealers. Eight more people who were indicted remain at large, police said. The Worcester County State's Attorney's office announced the indictments and arrests.


Among the 38 people arrested were:

• Honiss Webster Cane, 40, of Pocomoke City, charged with three counts of drug possession and distribution. Bond: $150,000.
• Javon Tyree Schoolfield, 25, of Pocomoke City, charged with eight counts, including cocaine possession, distribution and conspiracy to sell drugs. Bond: $200,000.
• Gabriel Devon Hayes, 34, of Pocomoke City, charged with five counts, including possession with intent to distribute in a school zone. Bond: $200,000.
• Antonio Lopez Wise, 39, of Pocomoke City, charged with 10 drug counts. Bond: $150,000.
• Jamon Keith Byrd, 27, of Snow Hill, charged with three drug offenses. Bond: $200,000.

Police said the following people were still wanted in connection with the investigation:
• Jeremy Lonnel Fitch, Pocomoke.
• Gerry Marshall Laws, Pocomoke.
• Torrance Demar Davis, Horntown, Va.
• Kelvin Knock, New Church, Va.
• Travis Antonio Bowen, Snow Hill.
• Terrell Maurice Holley, Snow Hill.
• Larry James Davis, Snow Hill.
• Jonathon Purnell, Snow Hill.

The state's attorney's office said the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean City Police Department, Snow Hill Police Department, Berlin Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, Somerset County Narcotics Task Force, Salisbury Police Department, Maryland State Apprehension Team, Maryland State Police Gang Unit, Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Eastern Shore Virginia Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted during the two-day operation.

Who's accused

Police indicted and arrested the following people on drug possession and drug distribution charges on July 30 and 31:
Breon Odale Ayres, 19, of Pocomoke
Patrick Lee Schoolfield, 28, of Pocomoke
Javon Tyree Schoolfield, 25, of Pocomoke
Richard Wayne Williams, 36, of Pocomoke
Honiss Webster Cane, 40, of Pocomoke
Gabriel Devon Hayes, 34, of Pocomoke
Broadus Lorenzo Mason, 32, of Pocomoke
Donald Edward Sturgis, 29, of Pocomoke
Antonio Lopez Wise, 39, of Pocomoke
Kaniesha L. Johnson, 18, of Pocomoke
Martel Lamel Costen, 26, of Pocomoke
Minaster Fate Nixon Wright, 55, of Pocomoke
Tamar Gilbert Cutler, 27, of Pocomoke
Gregory Daniel Snead Jr., 23, of Pocomoke
Eric Vincent Bishop Sr., 55, of Pocomoke
Marcus Delonte Fletcher, 36, of Pocomoke
Devin Devon Bryant, 22, of Pocomoke
Deron Raymont Ames, 19, of Snow Hill
Joshua Handy Pitts, 43, of Snow Hill
Anthony Lamont Bibbins, 28, of Snow Hill
Jamon Keith Byrd, 29, of Snow Hill
Clinton Wilson Waters, 38, of Snow Hill
John Donzell Ginn, 42, of Snow Hill
Christopher Kinsey Johnson, 19, of Snow Hill
Tanya Rena Jenkins, 36, of Snow Hill
Brent Hamill Marshall, 37, of Snow Hill
Stefan Dante Allen Sr., 31, of Snow Hill
Earl Finney Tull, 42, of Snow Hill
Craig Lamont Shockley, 33, of Snow Hill
Andrew Lamont Snead, 43, of Snow Hill
Pecoro Lynn Jackson, 25, of Snow Hill
Betty Jane Williams, 42, of Snow Hill
Dawn Rochelle Hudson, 51, of Snow Hill

Police arrested two people on drug possession charges alone:
Tyronee Kurtis Nixon, 32, of Pocomoke
Charles Benjamin Powell, 47, of Snow Hill

Police also indicted Sharon Raye Benoit, 49, of Pocomoke and Gloria Jean Smith, 53, of Snow Hill on charges of maintaining a common nuisance, meaning a building or vehicle frequently used by drug abusers. And police arrested Robert Steven Jackson, 44, of Snow Hill during the raid, charging him with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Two juveniles were also arrested during the raid, police said.

Police said eight people were still wanted in connection with the investigation: Jeremy Lonnel Fitch, Pocomoke; Gerry Marshall Laws, Pocomoke; Torrance Demar Davis, Horntown, Va.; Kelvin Knock, New Church, Va.; Travis Antonio Bowen, Snow Hill; Terrell Maurice Holley, Snow Hill; Larry James Davis, Snow Hill; and Jonathon Purnell, Snow Hill.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110803/NEWS01/110803011/Dozens-charged-drug-selling-Pocomoke-Snow-Hill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7Cfrontpage