Wicomico County States Attorney Press Releases

ANTHONY MILLS CONVICTED OF SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR AND RELATED SEX OFFENSES BY WICOMICO COUNTY JURY

On June 19, 2012, Anthony Mills, age 19, of Salisbury, Maryland was convicted of two counts of sex abuse of a minor and related sex offense charges by a Wicomico County jury. The charges against Anthony Mills arose from disclosures of sexual abuse made by two victims, ages 8 and 11, that occurred on Fairground Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. Anthony Mills faces a maximum penalty of 25 years for each count of sexual abuse of a minor, and is facing an additional period of incarceration for the other related charges. Sentencing is expected to occur within the next sixty days.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Child Advocacy Center, including Child Protective Services’ Investigators and the Detective Merritt and Officer Dubas of the Salisbury City Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked the citizens of Wicomico County

BEAU LAWRENCE LAYTON SENTENCED TO 8 ½ YEARS D.O.C. FOR VIOLATING HIS PROBATION

On May 5, 1998, Beau Lawrence Layton was sentenced to ten years in the custody of the Department of Corrections (D.O.C.) --with all but eighteen months suspended--for Distribution of L.S.D. On March 5, 2000, while Layton was on probation, a search warrant was executed on Layton’s residence and he was ultimately charged with Manufacturing Psilocybin (Mushrooms) and Possession of Marijuana, among other drug related charges. Layton absconded from Wicomico County in April of 2000 to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Layton lived in the Virgin Islands as a fugitive from justice until 2012.

Layton was apprehended in April of 2012 as he attempted to return to the U.S. for a family funeral. On June 26, 2012, Layton pleaded guilty to Possession of Marijuana, which, in addition to the fact that he absconded, violated his probation. The State dismissed the Manufacturing Psilocybin charges because the suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms did not test positive for the presence of a controlled dangerous substance when analyzed by the forensic chemist. Matt Maciarello asked for the Court to sentence the Defendant to the 8 ½ years that was suspended by the Judge in 1998 explaining that “probation is a privilege.” The Circuit Court judge ultimately sentenced Layton to serve 8 ½ years in the custody of the D.O.C. for Violating his Probation.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Maciarello also commended Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby who prosecuted the original L.S.D Distribution case in 1998, and who served as a resource to the office in the prosecution of this matter.

Paul Andrew Dowling Guilty of Kidnapping

On June 26, 2012, Paul Andrew Dowling, age 31, of Salisbury, Maryland, was found guilty of Kidnapping. On December 15, 2011, Dowling kidnapped a fifteen year old juvenile in the Carrolton Ave area of Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland. As part of the plea agreement Dowling will have to register as a tier III sex offender for life. Sentencing in this matter has been deferred pending the completion of a pre sentence investigation.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Salisbury City Police and the detectives of Salisbury City Police Criminal Investigative Division, Det. Fissel and Det. Barnes for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked ASA Kristen Schultz who prosecuted this case.

KAROND ANTHONY JOHNSON SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS FOR ASSAULTING SALISBURY POLICE OFFICER

On June 26, 2012, Karond Anthony Johnson, age 29, of Salisbury, Maryland, was convicted of two counts of assault in the second degree for assaulting Salisbury Police Officer Brandon Caton during the course of two separate arrests, one occurring December 9, 2011 and the other occurring on February 24, 2012. A Wicomico County Circuit Court judge sentenced Johnson to serve two consecutive 4 year sentences in the Maryland Division of Corrections.

At the time of both assaults, Officer Caton was attempting to place Johnson under arrest for serious traffic violations when the Johnson resisted the arrest by force. Officer Caton did not suffer any injuries during the course of either assault.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended Officer Brandon Caton and his colleagues at the Salisbury Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked James L. Britt who prosecuted these cases.