MSP Major Crimes Investigations & Arrests


The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Region released the following arrest bulletins. The division is comprised of investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The investigators are tasked with working investigations within Maryland's jurisdictions and crimes that cross state lines.

Arrest in Stabbing Case

ST. MARY'S COUNTY—On Friday, December 05, 2014 at approximately 0130 hours, patrol troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to the Big Dog's Paradise Bar located at 28765 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville for a reported stabbing.

Upon arrival, troopers observed the victim, Davante Daris Brooks, lying on the ground to the rear of the building with two off duty emergency medical technicians rendering aide. Preliminary investigation revealed Brooks was suffering from an apparent laceration to his abdomen area. Members of the Mechanicsville Rescue Squad arrived on scene and began to treat Brooks. He was immediately flown by Trooper 7 to a nearby Trauma Center for emergency treatment. Investigators from Criminal Enforcement Division, Center South Region responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Through several investigative leads, George Kelly Ketterman III, age 32, from Montgomery County was identified as the suspect that stabbed Brooks. An arrest warrant was obtained for Ketterman, charging him with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment.

It was also learned that Ketterman had additional active warrants for violation of probation through Frederick City Police Department and failure to appear on driving while suspended through Rockville City Police Department.

On January 7, 2015 members from the Maryland State Apprehension Team (MSAT) located Ketterman at a residence in Montgomery County. Ketterman was arrested without incident and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a hearing with the District Court Commissioner.

Brooks has since been released from the Trauma Center and is in stable condition.

This investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Maryland State Apprehension Unit and the St. Mary's County States Attorney's Office.

Marijuana Distribution

ST. MARY'S COUNTY—On October 16, 2014, members from the Maryland State Police-Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Region Major Drug Traffickers Unit and Homeland Security Investigations identified Steve Allen Nickelson from Chaptico, St. Mary's County, as a major drug trafficker within St. Mary's and Charles County.

During the course of the investigation, several search and seizure warrants were executed. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of 3,988 grams (approximately 8.7 pounds) of high-grade marijuana, U.S. Currency and other items indicating distribution.

In December 2014, the investigation was presented to the St. Mary's County Grand Jury for review. Members from the Grand Jury handed down an indictment charging Nickelson with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

On December 21, 2014, Nickelson was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was incarcerated at the St. Mary's County Detention Center.

This investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit and the St. Mary's County States Attorney's Office.

Home Invasion

ST. MARY'S COUNTY—On December 5, 2014 a female and two males came to the Leonardtown Barrack to report a home invasion. MSP Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Region investigators were contacted and responded to assume the investigation.

Investigation revealed that On December 4, 2014 at approximately 2030 hrs, a black male (described as skinny, 5-9, dressed in all black) and a white male (described as short, heavy set, dressed in all black) arrived at an address in Loveville, St. Marys' County. The two suspects kicked the front door in to the trailer and made contact with the female. During contact the males requested currency. The suspects were given an undisclosed amount of currency and then fled from the scene.

Fugitive Crashes Attempting to Flee Bail Bondsmen

CHARLES COUNTY—At about 9:30 a.m. on December 30, 2014, troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to the 10300-block of Housely Place in White Plains for the report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Investigation revealed the suspect, identified as Bart K. Mullins, 36, of the 10300-block of Housely Place, White Plains, used his vehicle to attempt to flee the scene to escape apprehension by bail bonding agents. Mullins was wanted on open warrants from North Carolina and Louisiana for aggravated assault on a police officer and violation of probation. While fleeing, Mullins struck and injured a member of the bail bonding agency. That person was transported to the Prince George's Hospital Shock Trauma Center with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Mullins failed to negotiate a curve at Billingsley Road and Middletown Road and struck a curb, disabling his vehicle. He was held by members of the bail bonding agency until troopers arrived minutes later.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Central South Region responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Information was developed linking Mullins to a series of financial fraud and identity theft crimes. A search and seizure warrant was obtained and served at his residence. Investigators recovered over $100,000 in fraudulent checks and 14 fraudulent driver's licenses from 11 different states throughout the southeast and northeast regions of the United States.

Mullins was charged with first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and DUI. Additional charges were expected to be filed after consultation with the Charles County State's Attorney's Office. A detainer was also filed on Mullins for a violation of probation warrant from North Carolina and a warrant from Louisiana for aggravated assault on a police officer. Mullins was held at the Charles County Detention Center.

The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Region is comprised of investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The investigators are tasked with working investigations within Maryland's jurisdictions and crimes that cross state lines.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://somd.me/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at http://somd.me/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at http://somd.me/expungeme .

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