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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Baltimore County – Friday, May 30, the operator of the 24-foot motor vessel involved in a boating accident that claimed the life of an Ellicott City man last August pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter by vessel in Baltimore County Circuit Court.
A Grand Jury convened by the Baltimore County State’s Attorney held a hearing on this investigation on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007 and indicted William Charles Spittel, 51, of Baltimore for negligent manslaughter by motor vessel, negligent homicide by motor vessel while under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol per se, negligent homicide by motor vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, negligent operation, exceeding posted 6 knot speed limit and failure to maintain a proper lookout.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) responded to the Pleasure Island Cut on the Back River for a single boat accident. Spittel was operating his 24-foot vessel with two passengers, Jason J. Bard, 34, of Frederick and Michael D. Schott, 33, of Ellicott City when he struck a channel marker. All three men were ejected from the vessel on impact. Spittel and Bard were rescued from the water. Schott’s body was recovered by divers at 2:23 a.m.
The evidence and information developed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police during the investigation was presented to the office of Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger.
As part of a plea agreement, Spittel was sentenced to 5 years in jail; all but 6 months were suspended; $2,500 fine; 3 years supervised probation; and 250 hours of community service on the negligent manslaughter by vessel charge. The remaining charges were nolle prosequi.
Cecil County – On Saturday, May 31, at 2:20 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged an Elkton man with driving while intoxicated in the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.
NRP initiated a traffic stop on Eric J. Brockell, 30, of Elkton for allegedly exceeding the posted speed limit. During the course of the traffic stop, Brockell was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing. Brockell was charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol per se, driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and speeding. He was released on his signature to family members.
Cecil County – On Sunday, June 1, at 6:20 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Theodore E. Vanderlaan, 44, of Newark, Del. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on the Bohemia River near Hacks Point.
NRP stopped Vanderlaan for allegedly speeding through a no wake zone in his 32-foot vessel. Vanderlaan was transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing and charged 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 and speeding. He was released on his signature.
Garrett County – On Friday, May 30, at 10:30 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested and charged five on drug charges while patrolling the camp sites in Savage River State Forest. NRP entered the site and observed in plain view marijuana, a smoking pipe and large amounts of alcoholic beverages.
Charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana; and possession of CDS, paraphernalia were, Ryan G. Morgan, 22, of Cumberland; Emma M. Cannon, 21, of Fort Ashby, W.Va.; Adrian T. Martin III, 20, of Romney, W.Va.; Robert S. Simpson, 19, of Gore, Va.; and Windy L. Payne, 18, of Winchester, Va.
Martin, Simpson and Payne were also charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age.
The five individuals were transported to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office for processing and taken before a District Court Commissioner, where they were released on personal recognizance.
Worcester County – On Friday, May 30, at 11:30 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged three with alcohol violations in the campground of Assateague State Park. NRP entered the campsite to investigate a quiet hour noise violation.
Matthew L. Hogg, 19, of Lancaster, Pa. and Jeffery R. Aument, 19, of Mountville, Pa. were charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age. Cody J. Hudock, 24, of Elizabeth City, N.C. was charged with furnishing alcoholic beverage for underage consumption.
Worcester County – On Saturday, May 31, at 6:54 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Snow Hill man with driving while intoxicated on Route 364 near Pocomoke State Forest.
NRP initiated a traffic stop on Charles E. Morgan Jr., 28, of Snow Hill for driving erratically. During the course of the traffic stop, Morgan was arrested for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol per se, driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, failure to drive right of center, and consuming an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on the highway. He was released on his signature.
June 5, 2008 Contact: Sgt. Ken Turner
410-260-8003 office I 443-534-5598 cell
kturner@dnr.state.md.usThe 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.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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