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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Allegany County – On Friday, August 1, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged a Cumberland man and a LaVale man with driving while intoxicated on Pleasant Valley Road at Rocky Gap State Park.
During two separate traffic stops, NRP charged Charles M. Minke, 49, of Cumberland and Gregory A. Mabee Sr., 52, of LaVale with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol.
NRP officers assigned to Allegany County have been participating in a driving under the influence (DUI) grant from the Allegany County Health Department through monies from the Allegany County Community Traffic Safety Program.
NRP utilize these funds, which come from the Maryland Highway Safety Office of the State Highway Administration, to concentrate on DUI enforcement on pubic lands.
To date, officers have issued a total of 23 citations and 22 warnings while participating in the DUI grant. Citations issued include seven DUI/DWI citations, five seatbelt citations, one driving while suspended, three speeding citations, and seven other traffic citations. Twenty-two warnings have been issued for exceeding the posted speed limit in Rocky Gap State Park.
Cecil County – On Thursday, July 31, at 11:45 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Pennsylvania man with driving while intoxicated on Route 213 near Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.
NRP initiated a traffic stop on John T. Gavin, 25, of Oxford, Pa. for allegedly driving in a negligent manner. During the course of the traffic stop, Gavin was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing. Gavin 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 driving a vehicle on a suspended out-of-state license. He was released on his signature.
Garrett County – On Friday, August 1, at 8 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Brian A. Blough, 29, of Odenton with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on Deep Creek Lake near the Route 219 Bridge.
NRP stopped Blough after observing a passenger on his pontoon boat riding with their legs hanging off the stern of the vessel. During the course of the stop Blough was arrested 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 negligent operation. He was released on his signature.
Garrett County – On Friday, August 1, at 8:45 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Scott J. Scherbenske, 47, of Chantilly, Va. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on Deep Creek Lake.
NRP stopped Scherbenske for allegedly not displaying proper navigational lights on his vessel. Scherbenske was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police McHenry 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 operating a vessel between the hours of sunset and sunrise without proper navigation lights. He was released on his signature. A court date of Oct. 22 has been scheduled for Scherbenske in Garrett County District Court.
Garrett County – On Saturday, August 2, at 8:45 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Cheryl L. Hanna, 41, of Mars, Pa. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on Deep Creek Lake.
NRP stopped Hanna for allegedly not displaying proper navigational lights on his vessel. Hanna was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police McHenry 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 operating a vessel between the hours of sunset and sunrise without proper navigation lights. She was released on her signature. A court date of Oct. 22 has been scheduled for Hanna in Garrett County District Court.
Washington County – Maryland Natural Resources Police continue to investigate the death of a Burkittsville man after his body was recovered from the Potomac River near Shepherds Island.
The investigation started after Michael D. Humphrey, 50, of Burkittsville was pulled from the river on Saturday, August 2. Individuals on the West Virginia banks of the river saw Michael Humphrey unconscious in the water and pulled him to shore.
Michael Humphrey and his brother, Mark A. Humphrey, 49, of Knoxville had launched their inflatable tube and raft below Dam # 4 around 2:30 p.m. Shortly after launching, the brothers separated when floating around Shepherds Island. When Mark Humphrey reached the end of the island he saw the individuals administering first aid to Michael Humphrey. Michael Humphrey was later pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to Morgantown W.Va. for an autopsy.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section, Jefferson County EMS and the Sharpsburg and Fairplay volunteer fire departments assisted NRP with the incident. The incident remains under investigation however, foul play is not suspected at this time.
August 5, 2008 Contact: Sgt. Ken Turner
410-260-8003 office
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