Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 20 July 2010
Location: Ocean Gateway at Hobbs Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: John P. Knowles, 23, Bel Air, MD

Narrative: On 20 July 2010 at 11:52 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by John Knowles for speeding on Ocean Gateway. During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered that Knowles was the subject of a protective order that barred him from having any contact with his wife, who was a passenger in the car. Upon confirming the order was valid and still in effect, the deputy placed Knowles under arrest. Post arrest, the deputy discovered that Knowles possessed a pill bottle that contained oxycontin, a controlled dangerous substance that Knowles did not have a prescription for.

Knowles was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Knowles on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Violation of a Protective Order
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance of Schedule II

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 20 July 2010
Location: 200 block of Dove Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Male Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD
2. Male Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 20 July 2010 at 9:56 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Salisbury Mobile Home Park for a reported assault. Upon arrival, the deputies learned that a male subject who resided in the park was attacked by two juveniles. While investigating the incident, the deputies learned of two more victims on the outskirts of the park who were also accosted and attacked by two juveniles around the same time period. The deputies began searching the park and located two individuals walking that exhibited signs of being in a recent struggle. Upon detaining the pair, the deputies had the victims come by and they all positively identified the two detained as the assailants in these attacks.

Both juveniles were arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Office. Both were released to guardians after completion of juvenile referrals. Those referral will be sent to the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication.

Charges: Assault 2nd

Incident: DUI
Date of Incident: 21 July 2010
Location: Royalty Way, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Everette A. Pratt, 55, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 21 July 2010 at 12:58 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped to check on a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Royal Farms store off White Lowe Road in Salisbury. The deputy observed the vehicle to be parked diagonally between two rows of gas pumps. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy observed that the driver, Everette Pratt, appeared to be passed out behind the wheel. The deputy observed that the engine of the vehicle was running and that Pratt had a half empty bottle of Canadian Mist in his lap. The deputy also observed there was two three year old children asleep in the vehicle and that neither was secured in a child safety seat. Once awoken by the deputy, Pratt denied having consumed alcohol and submitted to field sobriety testing. At the conclusion of that testing, the deputy placed Pratt under arrest for DUI.
Pratt was transported to the Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. During Processing, Pratt declined to take the breath test when requested. Pratt was released upon signing citations pending a court date.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol
Driving a Vehicle while Under the influence While Transporting a Minor
Failure to Secure a Child in a Safety Seat


Incident: DUI
Date of Incident: 21 July 2010
Location: Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jamel Wayne Trader, 29, Fruitland, MD

Narrative: On 21 July 2010 at 1:35 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Jamel Trader. The deputy stopped the vehicle because Trader was driving down the road with four flat tires and his four way flashers activated. Trader stated he was on his way to the service station to fill the tires with air. The deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Trader during the encounter. Trader agreed to attempt roadside field sobriety testing requested by the deputy after which the deputy concluded Trader was under the influence and placed him under arrest.
Trader was transported to the Maryland State Police Barrack where a breath sample was obtained. Trader was released upon signing citations.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se


Incident: DUI
Date of Incident: 21 July 2010
Location: Waverly Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Rachel Elizabeth McWilliams, 21, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 21 July 2010 at 2:58 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Rachel McWilliams for running a red light on Waverly Drive. Upon contacting the operator, Rachel McWilliams, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from her. The deputy administered roadside field sobriety testing on McWilliams, after which the deputy placed her under arrest for DUI.
The deputy transported McWilliams to the Maryland State Police barrack to obtain a breath sample. After processing, she was released on citations pending a future court date.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Failure to Stop for a Red Signal