LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 8, 2013)—The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) released the following incident and arrest reports. BCI is an investigative team comprised of detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown.
BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLES: During the weekly CompStat meetings a trend was identified involving multiple burglary to motor vehicles throughout St. Mary's County. Crime analysts were able to compile statistical data regarding the methods used to commit the burglaries to motor vehicles. BCI detectives incorporated this information into their investigation in the Leonardtown, Callaway, and Medley's Neck areas.
On July 4, BCI detectives conducted a surveillance operation in the Medleys Neck and Callaway area. As a result of this operation, a vehicle was observed being operated in a suspicious manner near Ritchie Road and Rt. 244 at 2:04 a.m. and a vehicle stop was initiated by detectives. Detectives arrested Garrett W. Johnson, age 20, of Mechanicsville, and Robert C. Russell, age 19, of California. Detectives recovered numerous items which had been stolen from vehicles in St. Mary's County.
Johnson and Russell were transported to the St. Mary's County Detention, charged with 3 counts of Rogue & Vagabond, 3 counts of Theft Less than $1,000 and 1 count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Russell was also charged with Possession of CDS. Both are pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Additional charges are pending.
DOMESTIC & SEXUAL ASSAULT: On June 10, a female victim came to the Sheriff's Office to report a domestic / sexual assault. BCI was contacted and Detective First Class Ashley Croyle of the Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit spoke with the victim. The victim stated she had been in a verbal confrontation with a known acquaintance who grabbed her by her hair and struck her several times in the face and body. The victim ran inside the residence to escape the assault. Once inside, the assault continued. The victim fled to the bedroom of the residence in a further effort to get away from the suspect. The suspect entered the bedroom and continued to assault the victim. The suspect then locked the door and began sexually assaulting the victim. The victim was able to break free from the suspect and flee the residence.
Detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for the suspect. As detectives approached the residence the suspect, identified as Joseph Reginald Curtis II, age 27, of Leonardtown, stabbed himself with a knife immediately prior to being taken into custody.
The victim was taken to Medstar/St. Mary's Hospital where she was treated for her injuries and released. Curtis II was taken to Medstar/St. Mary's Hospital and treated for his injury and released. Once released from the hospital Curtis II was taken to the detention center, charged with Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, 1st Degree Sex Offense and False Imprisonment. Curtis II is currently being held on no bond.
SPORT FISHERMAN DROWNS: On Thursday, June 20, a missing person was reported to the Maryland State Police. Selvin A. Vasquez, age 22, from Alexandria, Virginia was fishing and swimming in the area of Myrtle Point Park after park hours with friends. Vasquez was last seen in the Patuxent River by his fishing party but could not be located when they were ready to leave. The fishing party attempted to find their Vasquez but were unsuccessful. State Police requested assistance from BCI detectives to locate the missing person. BCI coordinated its investigation with Natural Resources Police and Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 in an attempt to locate the victim. Initial attempts to locate the victim were unsuccessful. Police continued attempts to locate the victim throughout the weekend.
On Sunday, June 23, the missing person was located deceased in the Patuxent River by fisherman. The remains were recovered by Natural Resources Police and transported to land. The remains were transported to medical examiner's office for autopsy. BCI investigators are continuing the investigation into the cause and manner of the victim's death. During the preliminary investigation detectives located no evidence to indicate the death was suspicious in nature. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact TFC Michael Parker of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations at (301) 475-4200 x1996 with any additional information regarding the case.
APPARENT ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY PRISONER: On June 29 at approximately 1:28 a.m., correctional officers were conducting routine cell checks on inmates at the St. Mary's County Detention Center. During the checks a 19-year-old male inmate was found hanging in his cell by correctional officers. The inmate was apparently attempting suicide. The inmate was unresponsive and correctional staff immediately began resuscitation efforts. Emergency medical personnel were immediately summoned to the detention center and the inmate was transported to a hospital where he continues to receive treatment.
Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Office of Professional Responsibilities (Internal Affairs) responded to the detention center to conduct the investigation into the incident.
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 .