Here's The Big Details Referencing The SPD Press Release Today

During the week of January 23, 2011, Officers of the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Team received information on an individual who was alleged to be involved in the trafficking of controlled dangerous substances in the Salisbury area. As the officers began the investigation to identify this subject, they received additional information that this suspect was also involved in the trafficking of firearms. The investigation and surveillance of this suspect led to the identification of below listed suspect # 1.

As this investigation was unfolding, members of the Fruitland Police Department became involved in the investigation of two (2) suspects that had passed counterfeit U.S. currency at the Walmart Department Store in Fruitland. These individuals later passed additional counterfeit currency at two (2) restaurants in the City of Salisbury.

Detectives from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police received intelligence concerning the counterfeit currency. All four agencies began to pool their resources and review the shared data which resulted in the confirmation of suspect # 1 and the identification of below listed suspect # 2.

The firearms and narcotics investigation was combined with the counterfeiting investigation and resulted in the issuance and execution of arrest warrants and search and seizure warrants on February 9. The suspects were taken into custody in the area of the eleven hundred (1100) block of East Church Street at approximately 6:00 pm by members of the Safe Streets Team and the Fruitland Police. The search and seizure warrant was executed at approximately 9:00 pm at the suspect’s residence on the one thousand (1000) block of Caroline Street by members of the Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Fruitland Police and the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Unit.

Seized during the execution of the warrant were seven (7) handguns, three (3) of which had been reported stolen, one (1) assault rifle, approximately 93 grams of suspected marijuana,
$ 48,963 in U.S. currency, $ 13,370 in counterfeit currency and the equipment used to produce the counterfeit currency. The U.S. Secret Service is going to assist in the processing of the evidence and review of the investigation for possible federal charging.

The following individuals have been charged:

ARRESTED #1: Matthew Alan Schirling, 26 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: William Kurtis Cogdill, 24 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking CC # 201100003064

On February 10, 2011, a press conference was held by Chief Duncan at the Salisbury Police Department and included Fruitland Police Chief Mike Phillips, Wicomico Co. Sheriff Mike Lewis, Maryland State Police Lt. Ernie Leatherbury, Wicomico County States’s Attorney Matt Maciarello, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Funk, Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Salisbury Councilwoman Terry Cohen, members of the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Team and a number of detectives and officers from each participating agency.