Saturday, September 28, 2013

Accused Arsonist Leaves Jail / Attorney Files For New Trial Location

Story and Photo by Linda Cicoira
Toting a clear plastic bag of books and papers and dressed in the T-shirt, rolled-up green pants and large white hoop earrings she was wearing on the night she was arrested in April, Tonya Susan 
Bundick was released from Accomack Jail Monday after being incarcerated for more than 5½ months.

In an effort to avoid members of the press, two county deputies escorted the accused arsonist out the side door and then drove her to the magistrate’s office around the corner. There she signed bond documents and was set free until her trial in November.

Eastern Shore Bail Bonds of Accomac posted the $30,000 needed for her get-out-of-jail card. Five weeks ago, Judge Glen A. Tyler set the amount. Before that Bundick was held without bond. Defense lawyer Shannon Dunham of Eastville brought the required $3,000 (10 percent) to the company Monday morning. 

“Due to confidentially reasons, I cannot disclose” who came up with the funds, said Michael Allen, an owner of the bond business. 

The 40-year-old Hopeton woman’s name is now a household word as allegations and photos of her and her fiancĂ©, Charles Robert Smith, 38, were published by news agencies around the globe. 

Bundick is facing counts of arson and conspiracy. Smith, who is still being held in jail with bond denied, was indicted on 68 counts of arson and conspiracy.

Dunham filed a motion last week asking Tyler for a change of venue, the legal term for moving a trial to a new location. Tyler will hear arguments on the motion Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, Carl Bundick, who represents Smith, also known as Charlie Applegate, asked that the court suppress “all evidentiary matters and items seized by the government during a warrant-less seizure and search of” Smith and the vehicle the couple were in when they were arrested on April 1.

The lawyer is arguing that the seizures violated Smith’s “fourth, fifth and sixth amendment rights of the Constitution of the United States.” 

“No probable cause and/or … existed after such initial seizure,” Carl Bundick wrote. “No voluntary consent existed for such seizure or search.”The lawyer says Smith was not given a “Miranda 
warning … in this case.” 

Nearly 80 arsons were reported in Accomack from November 2012 to April 2013. Smith confessed to setting a majority of the blazes, according to court documents. He told police Tonya Bundick set 15 blazes.

Source:

TIME MACHINE ...This Sunday's Preview


1956.. A year of accomplishment for Greenbackville's citizens; 1911.. Church conference debates evils of dancing and card playing; 1930.. Drought brings restrictions in Pocomoke City; 1909.. Snow Hill to get ice plant; 1884.. Princess Anne's celebrated mule case.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Seeking Information On Theft From Furnace Town

On September 26, 2013, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office responded to Furnace Town in Snow Hill for a reported theft. The responding deputy learned that a large metal "Pink Pig" had been removed from the property overnight.

 It was further determined that the "Pink Pig" has an indentical twin that is still on scene. The Sheriff's Office is asking for the Public's Assistance in locating said stolen pig. 

The pig is described as approximately 3-4 feet in length, and about 2 feet in width. The employees at Furnace Town would like to have it returned unharmed as they ready for the Celtic Festival. 

The Sheriff's Office is seeking any information that you can provide in assisting us in locating the missing pig. The pig is extremely heavy and would require at least two people to remove it.


 If you are able to identify or know of the whereabouts of the "Pink Pig" in the photograph, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 410-632-1112

WCBI Arrests Alleged Sex Offender

David Wayne Tatman
Arrest of an alleged sex offender in Worcester County.

On Wednesday, September 25th members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Wayne Tatman

The arrest warrant was the result of several months of prior investigation which began with a former victim of Tatman’s filing a report with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. 

Through further investigation, evidence was obtained which indicated that Tatman had indeed committed the alleged offenses. 

The case was presented to the Grand Jury of Worcester County who issued an arrest warrant.Tatman was remanded to the custody of the Worcester County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

GUMBORO MUDBOG TODAY

GUMBORO  MUDBOG  
TODAY !!
Saturday, September 28, 2013


GATES OPEN @ 10 am
RACE BEGINS @ 1pm

REGISTRATION:
 10 am - 12 pm

ADMISSION:
* Adults  & Children 10+  - $7
*Children under 10 FREE (All 
    children must be accompanied
    by an adult
~~~
*Pit admission - $5 per person
*All drivers & 1 crew person
    FREE in pits.
~ ~ ~ ~
Winner of the Gambler's Race at Crisfield Mudbog, Saturday, August 31, 2013
Driver:  Barry Long
Sod Buster
Gambler's Race
Dial-In Time: 3.932
Actual Time:  3.870



Sunday ~ Cygnus To Rendevous With the ISS

NASA and its International Space Station partners have approved a Sunday, Sept. 29, target arrival of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft on its demonstration cargo resupply mission to the space station.

NASA Television coverage of the rendezvous will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT and will continue through the capture and installation of the Cygnus spacecraft. For the latest schedule for spacecraft capture and installation, as well as the post-berthing news conference, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/19M65lk

Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., launched the Cygnus spacecraft on the company's Antares rocket Sept. 18 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

International Space Station Expedition 37 crew members Karen Nyberg of NASA and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency will capture the spacecraft using the space station's robotic arm. They then will install Cygnus on the bottom of the station's Harmony module.

Cygnus will deliver about 1,300 pounds (589 kilograms) of cargo, including student experiments, food and clothing, to the space station. Future Cygnus flights will ensure a robust national capability to deliver critical science research to orbit, significantly increasing NASA's ability to conduct new science investigations to the only laboratory in microgravity.

Cygnus had been scheduled for a rendezvous with the space station on Sept. 22. Due to a data format mismatch, the first rendezvous attempt was postponed. Orbital has since updated and tested a software patch. Cygnus' arrival also was postponed pending the Sept. 25 arrival of the Expedition 37 crew. Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) arrived at the space station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The updated Sunday rendezvous and approach will include originally planned tests to validate Cygnus' performance as it approaches the space station.

Orbital built and is testing Cygnus under NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Program. The successful completion of the COTS demonstration mission will pave the way for Orbital to conduct eight planned cargo resupply flights to the space station through NASAs $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract with the company.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the mission and the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Join the conversation on social media by following hashtags Cygnus and ISS. 

Driver Arrested & Charged With Drug Charges

On September 27th 2013 at 1030 am, a Sheriff Deputy with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the area of US route 113 and Hotel road, for a speed violation of 82/55. When the Deputy approached the vehicle the Deputy could smell a strong odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and through the course of the vehicle search the Deputy found a black purse on the front passenger side floor board. Inside the purse were numerous smoking devices (drug paraphernalia) and a baggie of suspected Marijuana. The owner of the purse, the front seat passenger, was identified as Imani Nicole Thomas, 19 years of age from Newark Delaware.

Thomas was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of Marijuana less 10 grams, and was released on Criminal Citations for both.

The operator of the Jeep was issued a Citation for speed of 82/55.

Submitted:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Friday, September 27, 2013

STOLEN From Furnace Town

Sometime last night, Wednesday 25, 2013, this iron sculpture was stolen from Furnace Town. 

Since this does not belong to Furnace Town we ask that whoever has found it to be amusing to steal someone else's artwork to please return it! 

We (Furnace Town) will take care of repairing the fence that you knocked down in the process!

Furnace Town Photo

Furnace Town Photo

 As a non-profit historical site it is really a shame that people have no respect for others who are trying desperately to preserve the heritage.

Concerning Handgun Purchase Applications Submitted On Or Before September 30

FIREARM PURCHASE APPLICANTS WITH APPLICATIONS PENDING ON OCTOBER 1 WILL NOT  NEED TO OBTAIN A HANDGUN QUALIFICATION LICENSE

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Marylanders who have submitted handgun purchase applications on or before September 30 will not be required to obtain a handgun qualification license, as required by the new law that is set to take effect on Oct. 1.   

The new law that takes effect in Maryland on October 1 states that a handgun may not be sold, rented, or transferred unless the purchaser, lessee, or transferee has a valid handgun qualification license. 

The Maryland State Police (MSP) will not enforce the requirements of the new law with respect to applicants whose applications are pending as of October 1.  It was widely understood that the new requirements would not be enforced as to applications that were pending before October 1. In light of the number of currently pending applications—resulting from the unprecedented spike in new applications in recent months—it is a fair, reasoned, and appropriate result for those who are waiting for their pending purchase applications to be processed. 

Persons who submit purchase applications on or after October 1, 2013, unless otherwise exempted by law, will be required to apply for and obtain a handgun qualification license before attempting to purchase a handgun.   

MSP is working diligently to process all pending firearm purchase applications as expeditiously as possible. A record level of firearm sales in Maryland that began last fall—and which has only intensified in recent days—has led to an unparalleled number of pending purchase applications. MSP’s Licensing Division commenced 21-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operations last December—more than doubling the staff in the division—in order to process the spike in applications. MSP has also used additional State Police personnel, who worked more than 24,000 hours of overtime in the past year. Despite those efforts, the number of pending purchase applications continued to grow.   


The members of MSP’s Licensing Division will continue to work diligently to process pending applications as quickly as possible, without jeopardizing public safety for speed. MSP greatly appreciates the patience of both the licensed firearms dealers holding the weapons, and Marylanders awaiting approval to receive their guns. 

Submitted:
MD. State Police

Worcester County Rabies Clinic

Rabies Clinic
Worcester County

Wednesday, October 2nd
 Stockton Fire Dept. - 5:30-7:00 p.m.


Thursday, October 3rd 
Showell Fire Dept. 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

$5.00 resident / $10 non resident
Proof of residency required

Delmarva Discovery Center Presents 'Mommy and Me; Daddy's too!'


Do you have a young child age 3 or 4? 
Are you looking for interactive experiences for you and your child? 
The Delmarva Discovery Center proudly presents the newest environmental educational programming
'Mommy and Me; Daddy's too!' 




Every Tuesday, starting 10/15, we will have a 30 minute interactive program for children ages 3 and 4 and their parents/caretakers!

Call Sarah Rubin, Director of Education and Exhibits, srubin@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org

Thursday, September 26, 2013

UPDATE: Identity Released In West OC Fatal Hit And Run

WEST OCEAN CITY, Md. - Police have released the identity of the man killed during Friday night's hit and run crash in West Ocean City. Maryland State Police say Jerold Sharoff was reportedly hit by a vehicle on Route 50 near Elm Street on Friday night, around 10:10 PM.

58-year-old Sharoff was later pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital. Police say the suspect vehicle continued driving Eastbound on Route 50 after the collision.

Maryland State Police say the vehicle was a red Ford full sized pick-up, believed to be a 2009 - 2013. The truck reportedly will have severe damage to the driver side front fender, bumper, and headlight area. According to the report, the crash happened right in front of the Starbucks Coffee and Outback Steakhouse.

Anyone with information on the crash, or whereabouts of the truck, are asked to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. 


Crime Solvers is offering an up to $1,000 Reward for information leading to an arrest.

Source:

Arrest Made in Princess Anne Shooting

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.– Princess Anne police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with last weekend's off-campus shooting of a University of Maryland Eastern Shore student. 

 Tyshon Gabriel Hobson Sr., 26, of Princess Anne, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and related firearm violations.


Police said Hobson shot 21-year-old Devin Ryan Johnson early Sunday morning on Somerset Avenue, just blocks away from the UMES campus. Johnson was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

Following his arrest on the aforementioned charges, Hobson was ordered held without bond in the Somerset County Detention Center.

WBOC

GUMBORO MUDBOGGING THIS WEEKEND...



Mudbogging  Action  In 
Gumboro 
This Weekend!!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013  


GATES OPEN @ 10 am
RACE BEGINS @ 1pm

REGISTRATION:
 10 am - 12 pm

ADMISSION:
* Adults  & Children 10+  - $7
*Children under 10 FREE (All 
    children must be accompanied
    by an adult
~~~
*Pit admission - $5 per person
*All drivers & 1 crew person
    FREE in pits.

 

Refreshments sold on premises. 

  POWER WHEELS RACING @
    each event!!  (Must be equipped
    with manufacturer's battery.  NO
    EXCEPTIONS!!)

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.




1956.. A year of accomplishment for Greenbackville's citizens; 1911.. Church conference debates evils of dancing and card playing; 1930.. Drought brings restrictions in Pocomoke City; 1909.. Snow Hill to get ice plant; 1884.. Princess Anne's celebrated mule case.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Worcester County Recreation Center ~ Stroller Fitness

From Worcester County Dept. of Recreation & Parks:
Stroller Fitness started today at the Worcester County Recreation Center! We are still taking registration for this class, so join us next week, Thursday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m.




New Police K-9 Unit For Pocomoke City Police Department

The newest member of the Pocomoke City Police Department was introduced to the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council at their September meeting.
K-9 Exodus is ready to go to work and will be handled by K-9 Officer Matthew Conner. 

Welcome K-9 Exodus !!

Pocomoke Fire Co. 2nd Annual A.Y.C.E. Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction

Pocomoke Fire Co. 2nd Annual A.Y.C.E. Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction


Friday, October 11 
5 pm-8 pm

Pocomoke Community Center 
Pocomoke City, Maryland

INVESTIGATION QUICKLY LEADS POLICE TO SCOOTER THEFT SUSPECT

Treyon Miles Parker
(September 23, 2013) – On September 21, 2013, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Ocean City police
responded to Continental Cycles at 7203 Coastal Highway in reference to the theft of a scooter. Upon their arrival, officers learned that an employee had noticed a scooter was missing approximately a half hour before calling the police. The employee informed the officer that during that time, they had located the scooter in the area of 75th Street with a blanket draped over it and the registration plate and key missing.

 During the investigation, officers quickly determined the suspect’s as: Treyon Miles Parker, 22, of Laurel, DE.  When officers located Parker, they discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. During a search, officers found prescription Xanax pills on his person. Officers then were able to locate the registration plate and key to the scooter nearby. 

 Parker was charged by Ocean City police with theft ($1,000 to $10,000), possession of Xanax without a prescription and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Parker was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and was held on $8000 bond.  Parker was later transferred to Worcester County Jail.

Submitted by:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Celebrating 125 Years!

Celebrating 125 Years! 

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company was officially chartered on December 18th, 1888 following a devastating fire in November of that year. 

We are proud to have served our community for over a century.

Data Entry Personnel From a State Public Safety Department will Assist MSP With Additional Firearm Purchase Applications

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – With intense security protocols in place, two dozen data entry personnel from a state public safety department have been enlisted to assist Maryland State Police with the entry of information from additional firearm purchase applications that have been received in the last two weeks at the rate of about 1,000 per day.   

Beginning Friday, September 20, 2013, 24 data entry employees from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) have assisted the State Police Licensing Division with the input of applicant information from another 10,000 firearm purchase applications that have been received in the last two weeks.  This data entry enables law enforcement personnel from the Maryland State Police (MSP) and the assisting state law enforcement agencies to begin the required background investigations of each purchase applicant sooner.  No employees from any other state agency will be involved with the additional data entry assistance.  The DPSCS employees will not be involved in investigation of any firearms application. 

Security protocols are in place to limit the access of DPSCS employees to the State Police database.  They include the following: 

-The input screen for the database is on an internal MSP network, meaning the Internet will not be used; 

-Access to the internal network is encrypted; 

-A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is being used to encrypt data to and from the server and the end user’s computer for both DPSCS and MSP employees; 

-Each individual DPSCS employee has been assigned a unique log-in and password; 

-Every action a user makes on the network will be recorded and all activity will be monitored; 

-IP addresses provided by DPSCS are filtered and restricted in range to the smallest amount needed to complete this task; 

-With the exception of the supervisor overseeing the work, DPSCS employees will only be able to enter data from new applications and will be unable to view or access any other records in the database; 

-Access to firearm application records will be restricted to only the information needed to enter the record into the database; 

-Upon their employment, all DPSCS employees agreed not to disclose confidential information acquired by reason of his or her public position; 

-In addition to this agreement and further instructions at the commencement of the assignment regarding the confidentiality of the 
information, all assisting DPSCS employees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement specific to this detail;   

-No DPSCS employee will be accessing criminal background databases or conducting any aspect of a firearm purchase application background 
investigation. 

In a separate program, originally announced on September 12, 2013, additional assistance to conduct background investigations continues to be provided to the Maryland State Police by 20 sworn state law enforcement officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Natural Resources Police, the Maryland Transit Administration Police and the Maryland Capital Police.  Those officers were trained last week and have begun to assist with background investigations. They will be working in a Maryland State Police facility, using Maryland State Police computer systems and will work under the direct supervision of Maryland State Police Licensing Division personnel.  No firearms application data is being released to, or shared with, their employing agencies. 

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division continues to diligently address the unprecedented increase in regulated firearm purchase applications received this year.  As of September 20th, 102,001 purchase applications had been received.  Of those, 52,256 had been processed.   

MSP is committed to making this an open and transparent process and will, as it has done in the past, notify the public of any significant changes in the processing of firearms applications.

Submitted by:
Maryland State Police 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Ribbon cutting Oct 19

Contact:
Jennifer RafterPocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce
410-957-1919

####
Saturday, October 19th at 10 am
You are invited to the Ribbon Cutting at
RDL Boutique
1522 Market Street, Pocomoke
Hosted by the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce

RDL is a family owned business that carries a diverse array of unique items, including men’s apparel, religious gift and supplies, an assortment of scented and soy candles, handmade jewelry and a great collection of handbags you will not find anywhere else.  In addition, RDL Boutique is a local U-Haul dealer.  Stop by for the ribbon cutting at this distinctive store and see what RDL Boutique has to offer!

Annual Global Day of Student Prayer – Wednesday, September 25, 2013

See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event. In fact, it started in the Ft. Worth, Texas suburb of Burleson in 1990, at the initiative of ten students praying at several schools in their community.

See You at the Pole ~ Pocomoke Middle School earlier today.
Photo/Lynnhaven Baptist Curch


See You at the Pole ~Pocomoke High Students begin to gather at the pole earlier today.
Photo/ Lynnhaven Baptist Church




Ocean City Police Dept. Lieutenant Graduates From FBI National Academy

Ocean City Police Lieutenant Ray Austin graduated on Friday, September 20, 2013, from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.Lt austin 2 Lieutenant Austin was among over 200 law enforcement officers from across the country originating from local law enforcement agencies to federal and military organizations.

Lieutenant Austin began the internationally recognized program in July His time during the National Academy Program consisted of ten weeks of training, including topics on health and fitness, advanced criminal investigation and leadership development. The FBI Academy is a very selective program in which participants must have proven records as professionals within their agency.

“It is no surprise to me that Lieutenant Austin was selected for this prestigious program,” said Chief Ross Buzzuro.  “Graduates from the FBI Academy typically return to their agencies to serve as leaders of their departments in command level positions.  Ray has been a leader and a great example of a police officer for years.  His recent training at the FBI Academy will not only be a great experience for him but ultimately for the officers who work for him who will also benefit from his guidance.”

Lieutenant Austin is the assistant commander for the Criminal Investigation Division. He was hired by OCPD in July 1994. He was promoted to PFC in 1998, Sergeant in 2003, and Lieutenant in 2010. He has worked in the department’s Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division where he has served as a detective in both General Assignment and Narcotics Units. He was also a member of the Traffic Safety Unit while he was in the Patrol Division. In addition to his supervisor responsibilities, Lieutenant Austin is also a certified police trainer and has taught Drug Identification to Seasonal Officers during past seasonal academies.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Cygnus Rendezvous Postponed Until Sunday

Managers from Orbital Sciences and NASA decided Monday morning to postpone the approach, rendezvous, grapple and berthing operations of Orbital's Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft with the International Space Station to no earlier than Saturday, Sept. 28. Cygnus' rendezvous now will follow the launch and arrival of three crew members of Expedition 37-38 on Wednesday.

Orbital has confirmed that over the past 24 hours, the Orbital team developed and tested a software fix for the data format mismatch that necessitated a postponement of the first rendezvous operation that was scheduled for the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 22. 


However, that process, together with the impending Soyuz crew operations, resulted in a tight schedule to the point that both Orbital and NASA felt it was the right decision to postpone the Cygnus approach and rendezvous until after Soyuz operations. 

Source;

Northampton Circuit Court On Monday

Northampton Circuit Court
Monday~ September 23, 2013

By Wesley Edwards

Harry Anderson pled guilty to a charge of distributing cocaine.
Mr. Anderson from Cape Charles will remain out on bond pending a pre-sentencing report. 

Theany Tor was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

He pled guilty of possession and the intent charge dropped. Mr. Thor was sentenced to 10 years with all but 90 days suspended . A work release for work at the Pottery in Cape Charles was denied.

Shekia Thomas was charged with illegal obtaining a credit card, illegal use of a credit card, and unauthorized use of a credit card. Shekia and her sister faced use of the credit card in question for a total of $866.50. With a guilty plea the case was continued for a pre-sentencing report.


Robin Orsinger was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses and a probation revocation. The probation charge goes back to 2002 for embezzling. The restitution in that case was $74,595 dollars of which approximately $39,000 has been paid. Ms. Orsinger has been serving weekends before her sentencing today for a total of 56 days. Todays charge of obtaining money was related to welfare fraud of filing a false claim for food stamps and free school lunches for her 16 and 18 year old daughters. The total dollars in this charge was $1102 dollars with $220 dollars paid back. Ms. Orsinger was sentenced to 10 years on each charge to run concurrently with all but 10 months suspended and 3 more months for the probation charge for a total of 13 months to be served. Work release was denied.



Jermaine King was charged with Grand larceny, assault and battery of a family member and assault and battery. These charges were from the McDonalds in Cape Charles ladies room where Mr. King took money from his girlfriend and assaulted his girlfriend and her sister. The girlfriend Ebony Collins testified on his behalf and told the judge that she and Mr. King were living together and raising two sets of twins, one of which he was the father. With time serve on two other occasions Judge Revell Lewis III sentenced Mr. King to 5 years on each count with all but 2 months suspended.

Keith Jubilee was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mr. Jubilee who was not in court today and had been found guilty in May of 2013. It was reported Mr. Jubilee was in a Seaford Delaware hospital. Mr. Bruce Jones the Northampton Commonwealths attorney said that Mr. Jubilee was not looking forward to sentencing and this report needed to be verified. Judge Lewis said that they would continue this case until October 21, 2013 and deal with it then.

Dijon Gaskins was charged with probation revocation. With a not guilty plea this case had a lot of issues. Mr. Gaskins was allowed to transfer his probation to Richmond Va. back on November 28th 2012 where he was to live with his mother or aunt. His Richmond probation officer went out on a leave of absence and according to Mr. Gaskins was told he would be coming to his home for a visit when he got back to work. A new parole officer reported Mr. Gaskins to Northampton County as missing with no word causing Mr. Gaskins to be arrested on September 11th 2013 and he has been in jail since. The mother and aunt brought to court payroll checks going back to sometime in 2012 where he had been employed since returning to Richmond and testifying that he had lived at one of their houses since returning to Richmond. Judge Lewis after hearing all the testimony and with the check stubs found Mr. Gaskins not guilty of probation revocation after clear instructions about how to prevent this from ever happening again.

Lawrence Bright was charged with probation revocation. With ongoing reporting problems and positive cocaine test Judge Lewis revoked Mr. Brights probation and reimposed the 6 year 6 month sentence with all but one year six months suspended.

Everado Rosales was charged with a 3rd DUI ,eluding, and reckless driving. With a plea agreement to drop all charges except the DUI charges this case was continued for a pre-sentencing report. With a question about was this the third or fourth DUI and questions about the defendant names it was felt that it was important to wait for the presentencing report. Mr. Rosales bond was revoked and as the minimum sentence was 90 days he was taken away to start whatever sentence is handed down after the pre-sentencing report is received. 

Arkiece Montwelle Davis of Exmore pled guilty to providing a cell phone to an incarcerated prisoner. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

FREE Concert in Cypress Park Wednesday

U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band
FREE
Concert in Cypress Park

Wednesday, September 25, 2013
6:00 pm until 7:30 pm

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and listen to the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band from Fort Meade, MD for free! 


Concessions will benefit the Samaritan Shelter.

In case of rain, concert will be held at the 
Mar-Va theater. 

Sponsored by the City of Pocomoke and the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce.

Public's Help Needed In Fatal West O.C. Hit-and-Run Probe

WEST OCEAN CITY, Md.– Maryland State Police are asking the public's help in identifying whoever was responsible for a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred late Friday night in West Ocean City.

Police said that shortly after 10 a.m., troopers responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of eastbound U.S. Route 50 and Elm Street in West Ocean City. The male pedestrian was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital a short time later.

Investigators are asking for help identifying the vehicle that fled the scene after hitting the victim. The incident occurred in the left-hand lane of eastbound U.S. Route 50 directly in front of Starbuck's Coffee and Outback Steakhouse, according to police.

Witnesses have noted the vehicle in question to be a 2009-2013 red Ford full-size pickup truck, investigators said. The truck would have severe damage to the driver side front fender, bumper and headlight region of the truck. The truck continued eastbound on U.S. Route 50 where witnesses lost visual of the vehicle.

Troopers are specifically requesting anyone that was in the area at the time of the incident that noticed something unusual or are aware of the whereabouts of the vehicle in question to contact Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776 with any information.

Information leading to an arrest in this case may lead to a cash reward of up to $1,000. All information will remain anonymous and confidential.

Source:

David Craig on Baltimore County Common Core Meeting

David Craig on Baltimore County Common Core Meeting

For immediate release 9.23.13
Contact: Jim Pettit
@jamesmpettit

Harford County Executive and Maryland candidate for Governor David R. Craig released the following statement regarding the Baltimore County Common Core meeting last week in which a parent was ejected and subsequently arrested.    

"The value in public meetings - whether it is about Common Core or any other policy issue affecting a community - is giving people the opportunity to speak.  It is a long tradition that goes back to the founding principles of our country and occurs in county and municipal forums to this day. When speech is limited or meetings are overly scripted, it tends to cause angst among all who are involved.  

"The Common Core national education standard is controversial and for good reason. It slipped under the radar in Maryland three years ago and there are serious concerns about it,  many of which are being raised for the first time.  School administrators should be holding public forums like the one in Baltimore County, but these officials will actually learn more by encouraging a robust debate and the exchange of ideas.  Their ultimate constituents are students and their parents and those voices must be heard."


Background

Parent faces prison time after being removed from a Common Core public forum

Examiner.com 


http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-video-school-supers-have-parent-arrested-from-common-core-meeting

Arsonist Tonya S. Bundck Out Of Jail On Bail WITH Special Conditions

WMDT

ACCOMAC, Va. - The woman accused of setting fire to a home on April 1st is now Out Of Jail, more than a month after a circuit court judge granted her bail.

Tonya Bundick, 40, who is charged one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to arson for her alleged involvement during the night of her arrest, is no longer wearing handcuffs and a white jumpsuit, for the time being.

Bail bondsmen Bill and his son, Michael Allen say they took the call Monday morning. The elder, Bill, says he will treat Bundick's situation "just like any other case."

Minutes after Bundick made her exit from the Accomack County sheriff's office, Allen spoke with WMDT, outlying the details of her bond. According to Allen, two to three people co-signed for her release at $3,000, or ten percent of the original $30,000.

Even though she's free, there are conditions on her bail.

Court documents say Bundick "may not travel outside of Accomack and Northampton counties unless for a medical necessity or emergency. Also, the accused felon must submit to drug and alcohol screening and testing, plus refrain from the use of illegal drugs and controlled substances not prescribed by a health care provider.

Allen says Bundick must also go into his co-owned Eastern Shore Bail Bonds office at least once a week leading up to her trial.

"If she doesn't check in [any week], we'll go look for her," Allen says.

When Bundick left the sheriff's department, she walked out through the side of the building before getting into a sheriff deputy's vehicle. A person associated with the department drove her around the block before dropping her off right behind me at the Accomack County General District courthouse.

At that point, she gathered her belongings before WMDT saw her lawyer Shannon Dunham drive off with Bundick in the front seat.

WMDT caught up with Virginia commonwealth attorney Gary Agar about her release, but he said he was hard pressed to make any comments. 

"We'd rather try our cases in the courtroom than the news media," said Agar.

Neither Bundick nor Dunham would answer questions at this time.

Bundick's trial is set for November 6th at the Accomack County Circuit Court.

Meanwhile, Agar said an agreement came on the exact date for the other alleged arsonist and Bundick's fiance Charles Smith, who's charged with 67 counts of arson and one count of conspiracy to arson. 

Smith is scheduled to have a bench trial on December 16th at the same courtroom, according to the commonwealth attorney's office.

VIDEO / SOURCE

Eastern Shore Man Sentenced In a Tidewater Court For Conspiracy To Distribute Cocaine

An Eastern Shore man was sentenced in a Tidewater court Monday to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. 41 year old Jarrid Cropper pleaded guilty to the crime. 

According to court documents, Cropper bought cocaine from Norfolk, broke it into smaller quantities and sold it on the Eastern Shore. One witness testified that he sold Cropper more than 14 kilos in one year.

Cropper apologized to the court and offered a warning to anyone selling drugs on the Eastern Shore. He said,  "If they think they are going to get away with it, it isn't going to work. "


The judge then sentenced Cropper to 25 years in prison.


Source:

LARGE Cocaine Problem On The Eastern Shore

I ran across this article and found it quite informative for those of us that do live in the small towns on the Eastern Shore.  After  a "home invasion" in a quiet area of Accomack County  a few weeks ago I am constantly on the look-out for any info that can clearify WHY this happened and WHAT teenage boys could own that would be worth breaking into a home for. 

I know what others are saying  but if cocaine/drug sales are so prevelent on the shore then my neighborhood is not too good that it wouldn't be infected. 

This article was written a few months ago but I found it very interesting and it lets us know what has happened to some of the "pushers" who have infested our shore areas.

By: Scott Daugherty
March 11, 2013

Eastern Shore proves cocaine isn't just an urban issue


Scenic farming communities. Idyllic waterfront homes. Friendly roadside grills.

The Eastern Shore is known for them all. But it's not all bucolic on this sleepy peninsula just north of Hampton Roads.

There's a cocaine problem - a big one.

Nine men have pleaded guilty in federal court in the past three years to dealing at least 5 kilograms in Northampton and Accomack counties. One kilogram - which is about 2.2 pounds - is worth more than $26,000 and can be cut and sold to hundreds of users.

Some of the Eastern Shore dealers handled more than 14 kilos in a single year, according to court documents.

"People have a misconception," said Terrance Sullivan, the assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's regional office, which oversees the Eastern Shore. "They think you have to go to New York City to see quantities like this. You don't."

On average, police in the two counties, which are home to about 45,000 people, investigate about as many drug offenses per capita as Norfolk and only slightly fewer than Virginia Beach, according to state police statistics.

Several law enforcement and substance abuse experts said dealers choose to set up shop in rural communities like the Eastern Shore because of simple economics. As long as there are people interested in using drugs, there will be people who are interested in selling drugs. And in rural areas, there is likely less competition.

"The problems of substance abuse and addiction know no geographic bounds," said Susan Foster, vice president and director of policy research at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Plus, Sullivan said, some dealers might view rural areas as a safer place to work.

"It's that there is not a lot of law enforcement, or it is at least perceived that way," he said.

Cocaine is not a new problem on the Eastern Shore. Twenty years ago, there were a half-dozen spots in Northampton County where dealers would set up shop in the open, Sheriff David L. Doughty Jr. said.

Doughty recalled his days on patrol in the 1990s - when he would spend his time chasing dealers off corners. Back then, dealers would loiter outside gas stations and peddle drugs through car windows.

"We'd pull up, and it wouldn't be uncommon to see people start running," Doughty said.

Over time, police cracked down, and the dealers got smarter. They moved behind closed doors and started working by referral.

"Things have evolved into a totally different market," Doughty said. Smarter dealers require smarter police work. Enter the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force.

Founded in 1989, the task force is made up of police officers from the Virginia State Police, Accomack County Sheriff's Office and Northampton County Sheriff's Office. In the past few years, agents with the FBI and DEA also have assisted with investigations.

"They've been a huge help to us. They've made a big difference," Doughty said.

He said his deputies - two are currently assigned to the task force - are capable of conducting their own drug investigations. But they often require resources only the FBI and DEA can provide. And they can always use extra manpower.

"When you work investigations on individuals like these, it takes time to uncover all their associates and habits," Doughty said.

The task force's coordinator said the federal agents are vital when it comes to conducting surveillance in a rural area.

"It's pretty difficult to get police officers undercover here," Special Agent C.S. Wade of the Virginia State Police said. "Everybody knows everybody."

The task force has been on a roll the past three years, with federal prosecutors securing nine convictions.
The first of the drug rings that the task force took down - and one of the largest - involved Harry Byrd West and his right-hand man, Terrance Price.

According to court documents, the men would travel to Florida, North Carolina and Delaware to buy cocaine and marijuana. They would return to the Eastern Shore, break it down into smaller quantities and deliver it to midlevel dealers and users.

READ MORE

Salty Dog Grooming's ANNUAL PUPPY PARADE


Monday, September 23, 2013

Downtown Fall Festival and Studio Day with Artist Doris Glovier Saturday, October 12


Contact:
Jennifer RafterPocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce
pocomokechamber@gmail.com
410-957-1919

Downtown Fall Festival and Studio Day with Artist Doris Glovier
Saturday, October 12 from 11 am to 4pm

   Saturday, October 12 from 11 am to 4 pm experience an autumn tradition with the Downtown Fall Festival in Pocomoke! Enjoy food, crafts, live music, a dog parade and a car show. Little ones can try a hand at pony painting, enter a costume contest, take a hay ride, get their face painted, or try painting a pumpkin, climb aboard a Pocomoke fire truck, and play the passport game. Market Street will be closed from Front Street to Second Street for the celebration.  Don’t forget to stop by the Chamber at 6 Market Street in front of the Delmarva Discovery Center to see artist Doris Glovier at work, and get your passport stamped!

          The Chamber is honored to have accomplished artist Doris Glovier for the Studio Day taking place in conjunction with the Downtown Fall Festival. Paintings by Doris Glovier often reflect her impressions of life on Delmarva. Much of the work illustrates the subjects that interest her most - animals, particularly wildlife, describing marvelous faces in portraiture, capturing people in ordinary situations and articulating the beauty of the water, landscapes and unique landmarks of the Eastern Shore.  She is an enthusiastic art instructor currently conducting open studio workshops in her home studio/classroom. Ms. Glovier's website address is http://www.dorisglovier.com .  Her blog with paintings and commentary can be found at http://www.dorisglovier.blogspot.com/ .

Tonya Bundick Released TODAY??

UPDATE:  Tonya S. Bundick has  been released from jail.2:01 pm.

Tonya Bundick, the woman accused of assisting in the rash of arsons in the Accomack County area is in the process of bailing out of jail this afternoon.

Tonya Bundick, along with her boyfriend, Charles Smith, have both been incarcerated in the Accomack  County jail since April of 2013 for arsons they could be responsible for setting beginning in November 2012.

In August, Bundick was granted a $30,000 secured bond. That bond could only be posted by a professional bondsman and Bundick was not allowed to leave Accomack or Northampton counties unless by medical necessity.

It is unknown what time Bundick will be released from custody.

TEE OFF FOR YOUTH~ Nassawango Gold Course


SPCA EASTERN SHORE PET WALK


Worcester County Library ~ BOOKFAIR FUNDRAISER


Issues With Softwear Delayed Cygnus Docking At ISS

Orbital Sciences has confirmed that this morning, around 1:30 a.m. EDT, its Cygnus spacecraft established direct data contact with the International Space Station (ISS) and found that some of the data received had values that it did not expect, causing Cygnus to reject the data.

 This mandated an interruption of the approach sequence. Orbital has subsequently found the causes of this discrepancy and is developing a software fix. 

The minimum turnaround time to resume the approach to the ISS following an interruption such as this is approximately 48 hours due to orbital mechanics of the approach trajectory.
Source:

Maryland State Police Still Seeking Public's Help.....

WBOC 
Maryland State Police are still seeking the public’s help in finding more information on the fatal pedestrian hit and run accident on Friday night, shortly after 10p.m., in Ocean City. 

Police say the accident happened on the eastbound lanes of US Route 50 right in front of Starbuck’s Coffee and Outback Steakhouse. 

Police are looking for the driver of a red Ford pickup truck that was seen hitting a male pedestrian, who later died from his injuries at Atlantic General Hospital. 

If you have any information, contact Maryland State Police, Berlin Barrack, at 410-641-3101.

Source: