Frederick Caregiver Sentenced in Murder of Elderly Woman

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For Immediate Release

September 2, 2022

 

FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Maria Gloria Vasquez-Mebo AKA Maria Gloria Vasquez-Mego AKA Maria Gloria Vasquez Mego, age 37, of Frederick was sentenced to Life with all but 35 years suspended in the Division of Corrections by the Honorable Judge Richard Sandy. She must also serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release.

 

Vasquez-Mebo entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree murder in the death of 81-year-old Dolores Casas Perez-Colon on June 9, 2022. The plea agreement included a sentencing range of Life suspend all but 25 to 45 years suspended, with the State recommending an active sentence of 45 years and the Defendant seeking a sentence of 25 years.

 

On September 13, 2020, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of N. Bentz Street for the report of a cardiac arrest. First responders found the victim on the floor face up with traumatic injuries to her face. Following an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, it was determined that the victim died from blunt force injuries sustained by multiple strikes to the head with a rolling pin. The defendant lived at the residence and was the caregiver of the victim’s wheelchair-bound husband.

 

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “I am pleased that Ms. Perez-Colon’s family can find comfort in knowing that this defendant will serve decades behind bars for this heinous crime. Her family has indicated this outcome has provided closure, as it spared them the additional trauma of having to sit through a difficult and emotional trial.”

 

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Clinton and Chief Counsel Joyce King.

 

Maria Gloria Vasquez-Mebo

FREDERICK MAN GETS 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SHOOTING INCIDENTS

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FREDERICK, MD – This afternoon in Frederick County Circuit Court, Nazir Rashad Wells, age 20, of  Frederick was sentenced to a combined twenty-five years with all but fifteen years suspended on two counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault stemming from three separate incidents. Following his release from the Division of Corrections, Wells must complete five years of supervised probation.

 

INCIDENT #1

On March 24, 2021, detectives responded to an apartment in the 600 Block of West Patrick Street in Frederick for the report of a domestic incident with a firearm discharge. Officers determined that there were several bullet holes stemming from a single gunshot inside the building. During the investigation, detectives learned from Wells’ girlfriend that the defendant had strangled her two days prior.

INCIDENT #2

On April 27, 2021, Officers with the Frederick Police Department were called to a park located near Taney Ave. and Wilson Place in Frederick for the report of a firearms discharge. Witnesses saw a driver enter the neighborhood and exit a black Mazda to talk to a subject. The driver had a bag with him. They then heard multiple gunshots and witnessed masked subjects flee the area. Investigators were able to determine that Wells had fired the shots at an individual whose vehicle was struck multiple times.

INCIDENT #3

On June 30, 2021, Deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area of Wade Ct. and Kirkland Dr. for a firearms discharge.  The victim, who is the same victim as the April 27th  incident, contacted deputies at a nearby Wawa where deputies were able to identify multiple bullet holes in his vehicle.  The investigation again revealed that Wells had fired the shots.  Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Frederick Police Department were able to locate Wells the following day and take him into custody after a brief foot chase.  A handgun was located in the bushes in the area where Wells had fled.

 

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Kyle Kane and Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Brett Engler.

 

This investigation was a coordinated effort between the Frederick Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN).  The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services provides grant funding and strategic support to MCIN member sites to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations through inter-agency collaboration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.

 

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services funded this project under sub award number, MCIN-2022-0014. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any Maryland State office or agency.”

 

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FREDERICK COUNTY CYBER CRIMES TASK FORCE TO HOST INTERNET SAFETY EVENT

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FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick County Cyber Crimes Task Force (FCCCTF) in partnership with the United States Secret Service Baltimore Field Office will host an Internet Safety event Monday, August 22, 2022 from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center, located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701. The presentation is open to the public. Due to some sensitive topics covered, this presentation will not be appropriate for younger children and we ask that only adults attend.

 

The main presentation, developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), will be provided by Secret Service Assistant to the Special Agent-In-Charge Scott Kohler and Special Agent Jeff Lourinia and focus on how parents can recognize unsafe online behavior and speak with their kids about it. The topics covered will include – inappropriate online content, online privacy, sexting, online solicitation and enticement, cyberbullying, and sextortion.

 

Members of the County Task Force and Secret Service will be on hand to answer questions following the presentation.

 

 

The Frederick County Cyber Crimes Task Force (FCCCTF) was formed in May 2019 as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Frederick Police Department. Investigators with the Maryland State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) provide State and Federal support.

 

The mission of the FCCCTF is to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute internet sexual predators who exploit children through the use of the internet and technology, consistent with Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force standards and procedures.

 

 

FREDERICK MAN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN DECEMBER 2021 FAST FOOD RESTAURANT HOMICIDE

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FREDERICK, MD – After closings delivered this morning by State’s Attorney Charlie Smith in Frederick County Circuit Court, a jury deliberated into the afternoon before returning guilty verdicts for Second-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Regulated Firearm-Under age 21 in the trial of Darin Tyler Robey, age 21, of Frederick. The defendant was twenty-years-old at the time of the incident. Judge Scott Rolle scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2022 at 9:00 am.  Yesterday, Assistant State’s Attorney Ricky Lewis successfully argued that self defense was not generated by Robey’s testimony, and therefore Judge Rolle ruled it would not be considered by the jury.

 

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “I take comfort in knowing the family will receive justice for the murder of Jaion.  At sentencing, I will be asking for substantial incarceration for Robey for this truly senseless murder.”  Robey faces up to 65 years in prison on all counts.

 

On December 26, 2021 at approximately 7:12 pm, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the Burger King located at 101 Routzahn Way in Frederick for the report of a shooting. Responding officers found the victim, identified as 21 year-old Jaion Antonio Penamon laying on the floor near the restaurant’s inner door unresponsive. He was pronounced dead on the scene by medical personnel.

 

Investigators learned the defendant, Darin Robey, went to the Burger King that evening to confront his girlfriend about an affair she was having with a co-worker. Robey came to the restaurant carrying a loaded handgun in his jacket pocket. Robey began to argue with the girlfriend. Penamon noticed the argument from outside, and came inside to confront Robey.  An argument ensued and Penamon asked Robey to take it outside. Witnesses then saw Robey pull a handgun from his jacket pocket and shoot Penamon twice in the chest.  Robey fled after the murder, but was later apprehended by police.

 

The State was represented by State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and Assistant State’s Attorney Ricky Lewis.

 

Darin Tyler Robey

REPEAT OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR GUN AND DRUG DISTRIBUTION CHARGES

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, a plea and sentencing hearing was held for Blake Anthony Nivens, age 26, of Frederick. Nivens entered a guilty plea to Possession of a Firearm after a Conviction for a Crime of Violence for an incident that occurred March 9, 2022. Additionally, Nivens plead guilty to Possession of a Firearm after a Conviction for a Crime of Violence and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl  from an April 6, 2022 arrest. Per the plea agreement, Judge Theresa Adams sentenced Nivens to thirty-years (30) suspend all but ten (10) years active incarceration in the Division of Corrections. Nivens must also forfeit a total of $18,929 and complete four (4) years of supervised probation upon release.

 

On April 6, 2022, members of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigation Section executed a search and seizure warrant on a room at the Best Western Motel located at 400 Prospect Boulevard in Frederick. The defendant was the occupant of the room and was placed in handcuffs. Investigators found numerous items indicative of drug trafficking including nearly 2,000 grams of marijuana in multiple baggies and containers, and a vacuum sealer that narcotics dealers often use for packaging drugs. Over 500 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl were recovered.  The pills were pressed and stamped to appear like oxycodone M30 pills. Additionally, a large plastic bag containing approximately 99 grams of powder cocaine was covered. Also located inside the bag were 50 oxycontin pills and a loaded Beretta Model 92FS handgun.  There was also an AR style pistol located under a mattress.  Over $3,300 was seized from the hotel room.

 

On March 9, 2022, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigation Section executed a search and seizure warrant at an apartment in the 1300 Block of Baker Place East in Frederick. The warrant was obtained as the result of an ongoing drug investigation into the defendant, Blake Nivens. Nivens was at the residence at the time and placed in handcuffs. Investigators found evidence of drug distribution including numerous packages of marijuana, baggies of cocaine, pills, psilocybin mushrooms, a black Polymer 80 handgun with a high capacity magazine, nearly $14,000 in cash, multiple ID’s, cell phones, and paraphernalia.

 

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Kyle Kane.

 

Blake Anthony Nivens

MONROVIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN 2017 DEATH OF 6-MONTH-OLD BABY

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FREDERICK, MD – Late this afternoon in Frederick County Circuit Court, Jason Michael Colley, age 42, of Monrovia entered an Alford plea to two counts of 1st degree assault. An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea in which a defendant maintains their innocence but admits that the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if brought to trial. The State argued that the court sentence the defendant to a term in the Division of Corrections within the sentencing guidelines of eight to eighteen years based on the two counts, followed by five years of supervised probation. The defense argued for a term of home detention. Judge Julia A. Martz-Fisher sentenced Colley to a combined fifty years suspending all but eight years to be served on private home detention. The defendant was also ordered to serve five years of supervised probation with additional terms that he not engage in physical punishment of children. The plea agreement comes following four days of jury selection for what was slated to be a lengthy trial.

 

In response to the plea, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “the death of this child is certainly a tragedy and is also certainly a crime. Maryland state guidelines are in place to ensure consistency in sentencing. We strongly believe a guidelines prison sentence was warranted, but the judge believed differently.”

 

On September 19, 2017, Troopers with the Maryland State Police responded to the 12000 block of Fingerboard Road in Monrovia for the report of a sick or injured subject. The call came in as 6-month-old female infant that was having seizures and not breathing. The 911 caller was the defendant, Jason Colley. The infant was transported to Shady Grove Hospital in Montgomery County. The infant was later flown to Children’s Hospital in the District of Columbia where she later passed away.

 

Over the course of a lengthy investigation, detectives determined that the infant’s traumatic brain injury could not have been caused by an accident or illness, but by an intentional act.

 

 

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Tammy Leache and Assistant State’s Attorney Lindsey Carpenter.

 

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT, STRANGULATION

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Jesse Cook, age 44, of Frederick was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years suspending all but twenty (20) years to actively serve in the Division of Corrections. The Honorable Scott Rolle also ordered that Cook serve three years of supervised probation upon release. Cook was found guilty of first and second-degree assault by a Frederick County Jury on June 23, 2022, after a three day trial.

 

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “The courts and juries are recognizing the seriousness of injury and potential death from strangulation. This strong sentence should serve as a warning that this and all forms of domestic violence are totally unacceptable and will be aggressively prosecuted and punished by lengthy prison terms.” Smith added, “I hope that the victim in this case can find some comfort in knowing that Mr. Cook will not be out of prison for a lengthy period.”

 

On June 16, 2021, deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home in the 5300 block of Kingsbrook Drive for the report of a domestic assault in progress. The female caller told 911 dispatch that she had locked herself inside her car and that her boyfriend was aggressively attempting to get to her. The defendant was detained shortly following the arrival of deputies and denied assaulting the victim. Further investigation revealed that an argument over money occurred when the victim told the Defendant that she wanted to leave the relationship. Mr. Cook strangled the victim to the point that she was seeing black and was concerned for her life. The victim was eventually able to run out of the house and lock herself inside her car. The defendant proceeded to nearly rip off the car door handle and bang on her car windows before law enforcement arrived.

 

The Victim had injuries consistent with strangulation as documented by Frederick Health Hospital’s Forensic Nursing Program. The State’s Attorney’s Office encourages people experiencing intimate partner violence and non-fatal strangulation to seek assistance from law enforcement, medical professionals, and/or Heartly House.

 

 

The State was represented by Domestic Violence Unit Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Brett Engler.

Jesse Cook

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED FOR ARMED CARJACKING, ARMED ROBBERY AND FIREARM DISCHARGE INCIDENTS IN THE CITY OF FREDERICK

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Titus Lamont Diggs Jr, age 20, of Frederick was sentenced by Judge Scott Rolle to a combined 40 years suspending all but 20 years active incarceration. Diggs entered a guilty plea May 31st, 2022 to Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery, Assault, Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Loaded Handgun on Person.

 

These charges stem from four separate incidents in the City of Frederick.

 

On December 2, 2020, officers with the Frederick Police Department were notified that two men were being treated at Frederick Health Hospital for injuries to their face and head. The victims had communicated via Snapchat with the defendant about purchasing a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape cartridge. When the victims met the defendant in the 600 block of N. Bentz Street in Frederick, the defendant brandished a handgun, struck both victims with the handgun multiple times, and proceeded to rob the victims of two phones and approximately $200 in currency.

 

March 30, 2021, Frederick Police responded to Klinehart’s Alley and W. 6th Street for the report of a firearm discharge. A second firearm discharge was reported on April 5, 2021 in between the 500 and 600 block of N. Bentz Street.

 

On April 18, 2021, officers with the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of E. 4th Street for the report of an armed carjacking. The 84-year-old female victim was retrieving her purse from the back seat of her car when the defendant walked up brandishing a handgun at his side. The defendant demanded that she hand over her car keys and proceeded to drive off with her car. Diggs was found in possession of the stolen Chevy Malibu the following day by Baltimore County Police and subsequently arrested. When officers searched the car, they found a Ruger LCP .380 handgun and ammunition.  The shell casings from the gun discharges on March 30 and April 5 matched the gun recovered from him on April 19. Additionally, Diggs was identified through video and cell phone records as the shooter.

 

Frederick Police Department Detectives Sean McKinney, Kyrie Yackovich, and Stephen Radtke investigated the cases. The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Rebecca Clinton and Kyle Kane.

 

The investigation leading to the arrest and indictments of Diggs was a coordinated effort led by the Frederick Police Department in consultation with the State’s Attorney’s Office under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services provides grant funding and strategic support to MCIN member sites to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations through interagency collaboration and data sharing to make Maryland safer.

 

Titus Lamont Diggs Jr.

 

 

 

IJAMSVILLE MAN SENTENCED IN 2020 CHILD ABUSE CASE

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FREDERICK, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, David Glenn Hunley, age 33, of Ijamsville, MD was sentenced by Judge Julie Stevenson Solt to a total of forty years suspend all but fifteen years of active incarceration. Hunley must also serve five years of supervised probation following his release from the Division of Corrections. The State had requested that the defendant receive a top-of-the-guidelines sentence of twenty-five years in prison. Hunley entered an Alford plea to charges of 1st and 2nd degree child abuse on October 19, 2021. An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea whereby the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that evidence presented by the prosecution would be likely to persuade a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

On January 6, 2020, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputies along with Emergency Medical Services personnel were dispatched to a residence in the 10500 block of Cook Brothers Road in Ijamsville for the report of an infant in cardiac arrest. The defendant made a call to 911 stating that he found his infant son “pale and blue” and began performing CPR. The infant was initially transported by ambulance to Frederick Health Hospital and later by helicopter to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. Through extensive investigation, consultation with treating physicians and interviews, detectives determined that the infant’s injuries were consistent with physical abuse, including severe head trauma. Investigators believe that the child sustained broken ribs from abuse on a date prior to January 6th. The charges of 2nd degree child abuse stem from that incident. The defendant was the only person with care and custody of the infant during the timeline in which these injuries occurred. “This was no accident.  He deserved a substantial sentence for what was done to this child”, said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith. Doctors believe the child will continue to suffer serious developmental issues as the result of his injuries. At the age of two, he is still unable to walk, unable to eat whole food, and suffers from frequent seizures.

 

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Tammy Leache and Lindsey Carpenter.

David Glenn Hunley

Frederick Man Enters Guilty Plea, Sentenced For 2019 Murder

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FREDERICK, MD –This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, Ryan David Bretzfelder, age 46, of Frederick, entered a guilty plea to first-degree murder and was sentenced in the May 2019 death of Devon Jamel Wallace. In a binding plea agreement reached between the State, Defense and Judge, Judge Julia A. Martz-Fisher sentenced Bretzfelder to life suspend all but fifty (50) years in the Division of Corrections. Upon release from incarceration, Bretzfelder must serve five years of supervised probation including all standard conditions, education, evaluation, and testing for substance abuse, abstain from alcohol and controlled dangerous substances and abusive use and illegal possession of prescription drugs, random drug and alcohol testing, mental health evaluation and any treatment as directed, have no contact with the victim’s family and stay away from their residences and places of employment, and undergo GPS monitoring. The binding nature of the plea agreement means that the sentence can not be modified unless all parties agree.

 

On the morning of May 2, 2019, deputies with the Jefferson County, WV Sheriff’s Office located the body of 24-year-old Virginia resident Devon Jamel Wallace in a field near the 4300 block of Summit Point Road near Charles Town, WV. Investigators immediately started working to identify the man, the circumstances of his death, and how his body ended up in that location. Once detectives identified Wallace, they discovered that he had used a cellular messaging application via a WiFi connection registered to the defendant’s address on Wilcox Court in Frederick. The investigation also revealed that a female named Samantha Guthrie was in a relationship with Mr. Wallace, and on the evening of May 1, 2019, the two, along with Ms. Guthrie’s toddler, traveled to Frederick to visit her friend, Ryan Bretzfelder.

 

Detectives learned that on the evening of May 1st while at the home on Wilcox Court, Guthrie and Wallace began to argue and the argument started to become physical. Mr. Bretzfelder, who had known Ms. Guthrie for years, then attacked Mr. Wallace. Mr. Bretzfelder subsequently admitted to police that “he snapped” and beat Wallace with a BBQ grill brush, his fists, and then finally struck the victim multiple times in the head with a large rock from the backyard. Later that night, Bretzfelder and Guthrie traveled to West Virginia and disposed of Wallace’s body. The autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in West Virginia concluded that Mr. Wallace died of multiple skull fractures.

 

 

Ms. Guthrie previously plead guilty to being an accessory after the fact to first degree murder.

 

Several members of the victim’s family attended the plea and sentencing. Ms. Renee Webb, the victim’s mother, Ms. Delese Adon, the mother of the victim’s child, and Mr. Jonathan Rhock, the victim’s cousin, all addressed the Court at sentencing.

 

J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County, noted “It has been three years since this brutal murder occurred; three long years for the family of Devon Wallace to endure to get to this day. We are pleased that they are pleased with this substantial sentence. We wanted to provide as much certainty and closure as possible for the family. We thank them for their patience and grace throughout this process.”

 

The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Colleen Swanson and Lindsey Carpenter.

 

Ryan David Bretzfelder