Wicomico County Sheriff's Department Press Releases

Incident: Possession of Marijuana and Theft
Date of Incident: 1 November 2008
Location: 500 block of Loblolly Lane, Salisbury, MD
Suspect:
1. Michael J. Espejo, 21, Salisbury, MD
2. Ryan J. McHugh, 20, Salisbury, MD
3. Ryan W. Crim, 20, Salisbury, MD
4. Daniel J. Backman, 20, Salisbury, MD
5. Mark Isenstadt, 20, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 1 November 2008, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the theft of street signs in the Loblolly Lane area in Salisbury, MD. During the course of the investigation, a deputy located a cache of street signs in plain view on the porch of a residence in the 500 block of Loblolly Lane. While investigating the theft of these signs, the deputies entered the residence and located marijuana along with several large marijuana smoking devices. The residents of the house were identified as the five listed above.

At the conclusion of the investigation, McHugh, Crim, Backman, Isenstadt, and Espejo were arrested on 24 November 2008 and transported to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. McHugh, Crim, Backman, and Espejo were detained in the Detention Center by the Commissioner in lieu of $10,000.00 bail. Isenstadt was released on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Theft under $500.00

Theft Scheme

Note: Michael Espejo was charged with Theft under $500 and Theft Scheme only.

Incident: Hit and Run Accident
Date of Incident: *30 November 2008
Location: 12100 block of Laurel Road, Sharptown, MD
Suspect: Catie Elizabeth Cowgill Jordan, 19, Seaford, DE

Narrative: On 30 November 2008 at 1:30 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated a Hit and Run accident that occurred in the 12100 block of Laurel Road just outside of the town of Sharptown. During the investigation, the deputy learned that a vehicle left the roadway on Laurel Road, struck the front porch of a house and continued westbound on Laurel Road until the vehicle became disabled just west of the residence struck. The deputy located the vehicle with extensive front end damage, disabled and unattended on the side of the road. During the investigation, the deputy managed to identify and locate the driver, Catie Jordan, and she was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Jordan was charged on a Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation and released on her signature.

Charges: *Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Failure to Control Speed to Avoid an Accident

Incident: Assault 1st Degree
Date of Incident: *30 November 2008 Location: 100 block of Newport Circle, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jordden William Synclair Barkley, 24, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 30 November 2008 at 11:41 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 100 block of Newport Circle for a reported altercation where the aggressor was alleged to be armed with a knife. Upon arrival, deputies located both Jordden Barkley and another subject, later identified as the victim. Investigation revealed that both Barkley and the victim, who was five months pregnant, had been involved in a verbal altercation when Barkley chased the victim into another room and pushed the victim into a wall. The victim ran into a bedroom where Barkley chased the victim, grabbed the victim and dragged the victim back into the living room where Barkley slammed the victim on the floor. At this point, the victim stated that Barkley pulled out a knife and held the knife against the victim’s stomach and threatened to cut the baby out of the victim.

Barkley was arrested and taken to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Barkley was detained in the Detention Center by the Commissioner of $35,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 1st Degree

Assault 2nd Degree

Reckless Endangerment

Carry a dangerous weapon with the intent to cause injury

Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 2 December 2008
Location: Sandpiper Ct and Flamingo Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Samuel Curtis Russ, 19, Salisbury, MD
2. 17 YOA male juvenile, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: *On 2 December 2008 at 8:00PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious subjects standing around a vehicle on a dead end street. Upon the deputy’s arrival, a subject later identified as Samuel Russ, fled from the area into the woods. With the assistance of other deputies, Russ was located and found to be wanted on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation. A search of the area where Russ was hiding revealed a baggie containing marijuana. Additionally, a juvenile male who was with Russ at the location where he fled from, was also discovered to be holding a bag containing marijuana.

Russ was arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Russ was released by the Commissioner on Personal Recognizance on the marijuana charge, however was held on $10,000 pre-set bond on the Violation of Probation Warrant

The 17 YOA male juvenile was released to a parent at the Sheriff’s Office.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Incident: Arson, Disturbing School Operations
Date of Incident: 12-03-2008
Location: Choice, Adventist Drive Salisbury MD.

Narrative: On December 3, 2008 at approximately 12:55 p.m., deputies of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fire in the portable building at Choices on Adventist Drive, Salisbury MD. The Salisbury City Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire and clear the building of any smoke. All students were evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported from the fire. The Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the fire at Choices.

Several students at Choices became disorderly and were asked to refrain from disturbing the school process during the fire. Sheriff’s deputies requested additional patrol units and MSP to help control the area and monitor student activity. Seven students refused to comply with the deputy’s request to stop acting disorderly and were subsequently charged. A sheriff’s deputy was assaulted while arresting 1 juvenile. Eventually, 10 students were charged with the following:

1) Writ of attachment for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male

2) Writ of attachment for a 17 y.o.a. juvenile male

3) Juvenile referral for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

4) Juvenile referral for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

5) Juvenile referral for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

6) Juvenile referral for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

7) Juvenile referral for a 14 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

8) Juvenile referral for a 16 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to School

9) Juvenile referral for 16 y.o.a. juvenile male Disturbing School Operations-Released to Parent

10) Juvenile referral for a 15 y.o.a. juvenile male Assault, Resisting Arrest, Disturbing School Operations-released to Parent

Releasing Authority: Lieutenant Babe Wilson Date: December 3, 2008