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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Allegany County – On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) conducted an ATV safety enforcement patrol in Green Ridge State Forest. The goal of this type of patrol is to reduce the number of personal injuries due to reckless and negligent operation of ATVs, and to protect the natural resources in the forest from damage caused by ATV use in non-designated areas. NRP checked 41 riders and issued 5 citations, for negligent operations and failure to use required safety equipment, during the patrol.
NRP reminds riders to wear a helmet and eye protection at all times and other protective clothing and footwear suitable to the environment when you ride. Two individuals, one barefooted and one wearing flip-flops, were stopped by NRP during the patrol. Remember to read and follow the ATV manufacture’s directions, limitations and warnings. Some ATVs are designed for one rider only.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides trails for off-road vehicles, or ORV’s, in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests. Off-road vehicles utilizing these trails must be registered annually with DNR and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers are available from any DNR regional service center, and stickers and trail maps are available at the five state forests where ORV use is permitted. It is recommended that you call the State Forest and Park Office you will be visiting before using the trails to be advised of current trail closures or hazards.
Cecil and Kent Counties – On Tuesday, Oct. 2, the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged John James Messenger, 31, of Baltimore with setting and fishing crab pots in a restricted area at the mouth of the Sassafras River near Betterton.
NRP observed Messenger allegedly fishing crab pots, in Kent and Cecil Counties, on long lines located in an area of the river that prohibits the use of crab pots. A court date of Feb. 7, 2008, has been scheduled for Messenger in Kent County District Court and Feb. 8, 2008 in Cecil County District Court.
Dorchester County – On Friday, Sept. 28, at 8:30 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Cambridge boy with multiple violations on the Cambridge Creek near Cedar Street.
NRP along with Cambridge police responded to the area for a report of two individuals in the water after operating a vessel in an erratic manner. Cambridge police had pulled the uninjured youths from the water when NRP arrived on the scene. The 17-year-old operator displayed signs of intoxication and after failing field sobriety tests, was placed under arrest and transported to the Cambridge Police Department. The 17-year-old took a breath test, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of .17 percent.
NRP charged the youth with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and or drugs, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana, possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age, possession of tobacco product by minor, failure to have vessel registration in possession, operation of an unnumbered vessel and operation without validation sticker. All charges were referred to the Department of Juvenile Services. Both juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.
Frederick County – On Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11:35 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged William Lawrence Matthews, 26, of Sabillasville, and Darren Jason Hudson, 19, of Thurmont with hunting deer at night on Blue Mountain Road near Thurmont.
NRP stopped the two men after observing a hand-held spotlight being shined out of the vehicle they occupied. NRP seized as evidence a .22 magnum rifle, ammunition, a hand-held spotlight and deer parts. Matthews and Hudson were charged with casting rays of artificial light on fields or woodland while having a weapon in possession capable of killing deer and possession of untagged deer parts.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police remind people that hunting at night is not only illegal, it is also unsafe. In addition, NRP encourages citizens to report illegal hunting activities by calling the Catch-a-Poacher 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-635-6124. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed.
Garrett County – On Saturday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Nathanael Alexander Harris, 19, of Oakland, Donald Bret Dewitt, 19, and Matthew Allen Davis, 19, both of Swanton with hunting deer during closed season and possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
NRP received an anonymous tip that the three men were allegedly shooting deer from a minivan at the intersection of Holy Cross Lane and Boy Scout Cross Cut Road in the Blakeslee subdivision near Deep Creek Lake. In addition to the charging the three men, NRP seized as evidence a loaded .22 caliber lever action rifle that was recovered from a wooded area along Thornberry Road, ammunition and empty .22 caliber shell casings.
A court date of Jan. 17, 2008, has been scheduled for all three men in Garrett County District Court.
Washington County – On Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7:25 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested Danny Ray Terry, 48, of Boonsboro on two outstanding warrants in River Bend Park on the Potomac River near Williamsport.
NRP approached Terry after observing he and a woman engaged in a verbal altercation while they fished. A records check of both individuals revealed Terry had two outstanding warrants for violation of parole condition, home detention violation, and failure of violent sex offender to register with new address. Terry is being held at the Frederick County Detention Center.
Worcester County – On Saturday, Sept. 29, at 12:45 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Jesse Allen Curtis, 25, of Catonsville, Andrew Dean Davis, 22, of Bivalve, and Richard Burdette Keener III, 22, of Bishopville with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana, and possession of CDS paraphernalia at Assateague State Park.
While on patrol, NRP observed the three individuals huddled together on the beach near the campground allegedly smoking suspected marijuana. Officers approached and a subsequent search uncovered a glass pipe containing suspected marijuana and a Tupperware container containing suspected marijuana.
October 5, 2007The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov