Charles County Man Arrested for Firing on Anglers

A Charles County man was arrested on criminal assault charges after anglers on Middletown Branch complained that he fired on them.

The victims told Maryland Natural Resources Police officers that they were bowfishing at about 10:30 p.m. May 13, when a man began yelling obscenities at them and shining a light on them. They then heard what they thought was a gun shot and heard a splash near their boat.

The investigation led officers and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to Ronald L. Manning, 58, of Newburg. Manning told officers that he did not want the anglers near the property and that he went onto the pier carrying a flare gun and air rifle. He said he fired the flare gun into the water.

Manning was charged with three counts each of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, and one count of disorderly conduct.

The case has been turned over to the Charles County State’s Attorney Office for review.

A Calvert County man was charged with hunting violations after officers saw posts and photos on social media that indicated illegal activity.

Thomas James Walker, 32, of Prince Frederick, was charged with exceeding the wild turkey bag limit and failing to check in his kills.

Acting on tips, officers learned that Walker killed a turkey April 18, the opening day of spring season, in Cedarville State Forest in Charles County. He did not check in that turkey.

On April 21, Walker posted about killing second turkey at Cedarville; he checked in that turkey May 3, long after the legal timeframe, state records showed.

On May 20, Walker posted that he killed a turkey, but state records did not indicate that it was checked in. He told officers that it was killed on private property in Calvert County. The beard and spurs were seized by officers.

Walker also received six written warnings: two for failing to complete his Big Game Harvest Record; two for failing to complete confirmation number on his Big Game Harvest Record; one for failing to report a harvest within 24 hours; and one for failing to report a harvest.

He is scheduled to appear in Calvert County District Court Aug. 14.

A Prince George’s County man was charged Thursday with illegal fishing by officers patrolling Fishing Creek Bridge in Dorchester County.

Guadalupe Zelaya Garcia, 34, of Hyattsville, was stopped as he left the area shortly before midnight. Officers found 19 undersized striped bass in his vehicle.

He received citations for fishing without a license, keeping undersized striped bass and keeping fish above the creel limit.

He is scheduled to appear in Dorchester County District Court Sept. 20. If found guilty, he could be fined as much as $4,000.