FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (Aug. 19, 2009)—Over the weekend, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged eight men with sexual violations at Gambrill State Park in Frederick County. The charges resulted from an undercover enforcement detail conducted by the NRP in response to complaints from citizens and park staff that individuals were soliciting and performing sex acts in Park restrooms, on trails and in other venues—areas frequented by patrons of all ages and genders.
The undercover operation was conducted from August 10 through August 14, by NRP plainclothes officers acting as park visitors. Six individuals were charged during the operation and two were charged during a pre-operation reconnaissance with a charges ranging from indecent exposure to disorderly conduct and assault.
Charged were:
1. William Lloyd Vanover, Jr, 50, of Myersville, charged with Disorderly Conduct for exposing himself in a public place.
2. Eric Anthony Ziegler, 39, of Arlington, VA, charged with Disorderly Conduct for exposing himself in a public place.
3. Joseph Whitehead, 54, of Frederick, charged with Indecent Exposure and Disorderly Conduct for exposing himself and engaging in a sex act in a public place.
4. Bruce Allen Propst, 60, of Frederick, charged with Indecent Exposure and Disorderly Conduct, for exposing himself and engaging in a sex act in a public place.
5. James Michael Cornwell, 57, of Frederick, charged with Assault Second Degree and Sex Offense Fourth Degree for making sexual contact (grabbing) with an undercover officer.
6. Steven Elwood Baynard, 56, of Hancock, charged with two counts of Indecent Exposure for exposing himself in a public place.
7. James Thomas Williams, 77, of Frederick, charged with Assault Second Degree and Sex Offense Fourth Degree for making sexual contact (grabbing) with an undercover officer.
8. Charles Allen Stone, 69, of Purcellville, VA, charged with Assault Second Degree and Sex Offense Fourth Degree for making sexual contact (grabbing) with an undercover officer.
“This type of activity is illegal and indecent, and will not be tolerated in Maryland’s State Parks and other public use areas,” said Lt. Paul Hanyok, Frederick County Commander of the NRP. “Future undercover operations will be planned to curtail this type of activity."
Source: Md. NRP