Eastern Baltimore County News
Baltimore City resident Roger Dyer. 25, of Winston Avenue, died in a single vehicle crash on Sunday, October 31 before 2 a.m in Essex.
Dyer was driving a 2012 Honda Accord southbound on Rossville Boulevard past Stemmers Run Road when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Members of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Investigation Team are continuing their work to determine if other factors were involved in this fatal collision.
U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Joel William Hammond, age 35, Essex to six years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Harford County State’s Attorney Albert Peisinger; Sheriff Jeff Gahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and the Harford County Narcotics Task Force comprised of members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, Havre de Grace Police Department; and the Harford County States Attorney’s Office.
According to his guilty plea, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force undertook an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) distributing powder and crack cocaine in Harford County.
Over the course of the investigation, detectives intercepted numerous drug-related communications over social media and phone calls, which identified Hammond as a drug supply source.
On March 7, 2020, task force detectives followed one of the DTO members who met with Hammond at Hammond’s residence in Essex, returned to Harford County. Detectives then observed a member of the DTO meet with several known drug users. Detectives believe that the DTO member obtained two to three ounces of crack cocaine from Hammond, which were then sold to the DTO’s customers.
Hammond met with members and customers of the DTO on at least 10 occasions between March and April 2020. Specifically, on March 31 detectives intercepted a series of communications indicating that a member of the DTO planned to meet Hammond to obtain crack cocaine.
Investigators learned that Hammond sold approximately one ounce of crack cocaine to the individual during the meeting.
On April 21, 2020, investigators learned that Hammond and a DTO member were to meet later that day. Detectives observed Hammond and the DTO member make contact at Hammond’s residence. Soon after, the DTO member drove back to Harford County.
A traffic stop by the Harford County Sheriff’s office led to a search of the vehicle by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and Harford Narcotics Task Force, after first obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle.
As a result of the search, law enforcement discovered two plastic bags, both containing a white substance, as well as $660 in cash.
One of the bags contained 16 grams of a white rock like substance that was similar to powder cocaine that had been directly cut off a kilogram of pressed cocaine.
The second bag contained an off-white rock-like substance that law enforcement determined to be 41 grams of crack cocaine. The combined weight of the two bags was 57.9 grams.
On April 22, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hammond’s residence and seized a small quantity of crack cocaine.
Hammond agrees it is reasonably foreseeable that the conspiracy involved at least 112 grams but less than 196 grams of crack cocaine.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, the Harford State’s Attorney’s Office, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano who prosecuted the case.
A registered nurse from the Baltimore County Harm Reduction program will confidential assessments and education related to drug use and sexual health today at Essex Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.
The event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Services offered for eligible individuals include blood pressure screenings, immunizations, blood glucose checks, wound checks and general consults.
malfunctioning natural gas line reported at school
– photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-
Baltimore County crews were on the scene at Eastern Tech High School at 1100 Mace Avenue in Essex on Tuesday morning.
Crews were investigating odor of natural gas inside of the school on Oct, 19 at 9:25 a.m. School was evacuated at that time.
BGE was called to the scene to investigate a malfunctioning natural gas line.
Gas leak was listed secured and building deemed safe around 10:04 a.m.. Staff and students reentered the school at that time.
Fire crews have cleared the scene. No injuries reported.
A newly minted millionaire in Essex claimed the top Maryland Lottery ticket of the past week, and in Dundalk — picked up $100,000 prizes, all won on scratch-off tickets.
In all, 23 players across the state won or claimed prizes of $10,000 or more, and the Lottery paid nearly $27.9 million in prizes in the seven days ending Oct. 17.
Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Claims Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to cash tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.
Here is the weekly roundup of big winners in eastern Baltimore County:
Scratch-off Prizes Claimed from Oct. 11-17:
$1 Million Prize
Money Explosion, Weis Market #86, 165 Orville Road, Essex
$100,000 Prizes
$100,000 Lucky, Walmart #2435, 2399 North Point Boulevard, Dundalk
RACETRAX
· $17,221 ticket sold Oct. 14 at Full House Saloon, 2311 Sparrow’s Point Road, Edgemere (claimed)
· $14,067.50 ticket sold Oct. 13 at Full House Saloon, 2311 Sparrow’s Point Road, Edgemere (unclaimed as of Oct. 18)
Ticket was sold at Weis Markets in Essex
A 60-year-old Dundalk man, who only plays Lottery jackpot games and Bonus Match 5, can thank a scratch-off for his new millionaire status. On a whim, he played the $20 Money Explosion instant ticket and won $1 million!
The Baltimore County school bus driver was taking care of business through Western Union at Weis Market in Essex when Lottery luck arrived. “While I was waiting for my transaction, I kept gazing at the display of scratch-offs,” he said. “Then, I just got the feeling that I should buy one.”
The fortunate player used change from his transaction to purchase a Money Explosion instant ticket and scratched it off in the store. “I saw the money stack and that $1 million prize,” he said. “I really couldn’t believe it. I had to look at it closer with my bifocals.”
The married father of five grown children and grandfather of eight then handed the instant ticket to the cashier to confirm his amazing prize. The new millionaire immediately called and shared the news with his wife and other family members.
“She didn’t believe me,” he said. “She kept telling me to ‘Stop messing around.’”
The lucky player took the winning instant ticket home and went on the Maryland Lottery’s website to see what to do next. After setting up an appointment, he claimed the $1 million prize and celebrated in the Winner’s Circle. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use some of the winnings to pay off his home mortgage, will share the prize with his wife and give some funds to his children as holiday gifts.
Weis Markets located at 165 Orville Road in Baltimore, also benefits. For selling the top-prize winning scratch-off in the Money Explosion game, the store will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery.
The big winner found the second $1 million top prize of seven in the game, which went on sale in July. Still unclaimed are six $50,000 prizes, 89 $10,000 prizes plus more than 860,000 others ranging from $20 to $5,000.
Baltimore County homicide detectives are investigating an Essex fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 16, just before 1:30 p.m.
Officers responded to the area of Midthorn Road and Whitethorn Way in Hawthorne for a report of a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers discovered 22-year-old Dimarco Johnson suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body.
Medics transported Johnson to a local hospital where he later died. Although this may have been a targeted attack, the circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation. No one has been charged in connection to this case.
Baltimore County Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact them by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.
The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River will hold for a FREE Paranormal Preview Night!
The Baltimore Paranormal Society will be on hand to discuss how they conduct paranormal investigations, demonstrate their equipment, and tell stories about recent ghostly activity in the building.
Visitors will also get a paranormal tour of the museum, showing all of the spirits’ favorite hotspots! This event is FREE and open to the public. The museum will be decorated for Halloween and the gift shop will be open!
For questions or to RSVP, email essexmuseum@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page
Baltimore County detectives continue to investigate a shooting that happened in Essex on Oct. 7 around 9:15 p.m.
The incident occurred in the 600 block of Delaware Avenue. When officers arrived they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Medics transported the victim to a local hospital.
Detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit request anyone with information to contact 410-307-2020.
Rivals Perry Hall and Parkville will meet on the football field for a big game on Friday, Oct. 22 but both schools are join forces to have their game featured.
The Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Ravens select a Ravens Rise High School Football Showdown each week.
A Baltimore County game will be featured on Oct. 22 and Parkville/Perry Hall is one of seven finalists.
Overlea at Woodlawn; Sparrows Point at Lansdowne and Milford Mill at Kenwood are the other finalists that feature East Baltimore County schools.
The winning game will result in an appearance from Raven mascot, cheerleaders and the Marching Ravens Band.
Both schools that play in the game will receive a $1,500 donation each from the Ravens.
