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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Allegany County – On Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:20 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged Gary H. Crossland, 61, of Rawlings with hunting/possessing deer killed with a firearm during closed season on private property along Benson Drive SW near Rawlings.
NRP charged Crossland for allegedly shooting a deer with a 20 gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot, from the front door of his residence. NRP responded to the area after receiving a call from a concerned citizen reporting possible illegal hunting activity. Officers located a doe that had been shot and killed at a pile of corn approximately 24 yards from the residence.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police encourage citizens to report illegal hunting or fishing activities by calling the Catch-a-Poacher 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-635-6124. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed.
Allegany County – On Sunday, Feb. 15, at 3:50 p.m. the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged John J. Clark, 39, of Barton with operating an unauthorized vehicle on Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Barton.
Clark was charged after he was observed by NRP operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in the area of Nightingale Pond. NRP was in the area conducting ATV patrols to reduce the number of personal injuries due to reckless and negligent operation of ATVs, and to protect the natural resources from damage caused by ATV use in non-designated areas.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides trails for off-road vehicles in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests.
Off-road vehicles (ORV) utilizing these trails must be registered annually with DNR and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers are available from any DNR regional service center. Stickers and trail maps are also available at the five state forests where ORV use is permitted. It is recommended that visitors call the State Forest office before using the trails for current trail closures or hazard advisories.
To learn more about snowmobile and other off-road vehicle use on Maryland’s public lands visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.maryland.gov
Garrett County – The Maryland Natural Resources Police is issuing a safety warning advisory to snowmobilers and persons engaged in other recreational activities on Deep Creek Lake in the area of Uno's Chicago Grill.
NRP will begin ice cutting operations in the cove behind Uno's Chicago Grill in preparation for the 11th Annual MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk. NRP officers will be cutting ice on Wednesday, Feb. 25 through Friday Feb. 27. During these operations there will be open water areas and large blocks of ice in the area. NRP is urging individuals to stay away from the area for obvious safety reasons during the ice cutting operations.
The 11th Annual MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28. Registration begins at 12 noon and dunkers take a dip in Deep Creek Lake to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland at 2 p.m.
Harford County – On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested and charged a Perryville man on multiple traffic-related offenses after a vehicle pursuit that started at Stafford Road and Rock Run Road in Susquehanna State Park.
At about 10:45 p.m., NRP observed an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) traveling east on Lapidum Road, turn north onto Stafford Road. The officers maintained a significant distance behind the vehicle as it slowed and pulled to the left shoulder of the intersection of Stafford Road and Rock Run Road. The officer immediately activated his emergency equipment and attempted to stop the ATV. The driver identified as Brian Keith Testerman, 34, of Perryville, accelerated and refused to stop.
The officers maintained a significant distance behind the ATV as it traveled in excess of 55 mph. The pursuit continued north on Stafford Road onto Shuresville Road and then east onto Conowingo Road towards the Conowingo Dam. It was at this time that the officer was able to close and pass Testerman before entering onto the dam. The officer slowed his patrol truck in an attempt to stop Testerman.
Testerman rammed the ATV into the back of the officer’s truck twice before losing control of the ATV and crashing on the dam. Testerman then abandoned the ATV and fled on foot towards the dam’s jersey wall. Officers apprehended Testerman as he was attempting to jump over the wall.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units were called to the scene by NRP. Testerman was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released to NRP for processing.
Testerman was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol per se; driving while impaired by alcohol; driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol or alcohol and drugs; attempt to elude police by failing to stop; attempt to elude police by fleeing on foot; reckless driving; driving on suspended license; driving vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed; failure to drive right of center; operating an off-road vehicle on public property and remaining in a state park after posted hours of closing to public use.
Testerman was later released to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding warrant in Cecil County. NRP continues to investigate the incident.
The Harford County and Cecil County Sheriff’s Offices, Harford County and Cecil County EMS and the Maryland State Police assisted NRP with the incident.
Queen Anne’s County – On Monday, Feb. 9, the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Eric P. Horney, 42, of Queenstown, Ian N. Horney, 32, and Shawn M. Horney, 43, both of Grasonville with commercial oyster harvesting violations in the Chester River and Corsica River area of Queen Anne’s County.
At approximately 5 a.m., NRP observed two vessels operating without navigational lights, harvest oysters and quickly leave the area. The officer was able to stop one vessel that was operated by Ian Horney. During the course of the stop, 12 bushels of oysters were located on the vessel. The officer ordered Ian Horney to leave his catch onboard and to return to the Kent Narrows area where another officer was waiting at dockside.
The officer cleared the stop and attempted to locate the second vessel which was occupied by Eric and Shawn Horney. When Ian Horney arrived at the Kent Narrows area, the awaiting officer discovered that Ian Horney had dumped all 12 bushels of oysters overboard before returning dockside. Through their investigation, NRP made contact with Eric and Shawn Horney and the two men returned to the Kent Narrows area.
All three men were charged with possession of oysters during prohibited time; possession of unculled oysters on a vessel not returned to the natural oyster bar; and operating a vessel between the hours of sunset and sunrise without proper navigation lights. Ian Horney was also charged with failure to obey a lawful order of a police officer. A court date of April 29 has been scheduled for all three individuals in Queen Anne’s County District Court.
Maryland law requires a person, who catches oysters from the waters of the State with any scoop, dredge, tong, rake, or any similar instrument shall cull the oysters on the natural bar from which they were caught, and return to the bar all shells, stones, gravel, and slag. Any oyster whose shell measures less than 3 inches in distance between its longest or widest points, whether or not attached to a marketable oyster, shall be included in the culling and replaced on the bar from which caught.
February 18, 2009 Contact: Sgt. Ken Turnerr
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