 FREDERICK, Md. (April 26, 2021) – Thanks to the quick thinking of Deputy 1st Class Dustin Turner, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) School Resource Officer (SRO), the students and staff at Governor Thomas Johnson High School (GTJHS) remain safe and unharmed.
On Tuesday, April 20, at approximately 3 p.m., GTJHS school staff alerted Deputy Turner to a white 2017 Honda Accord that had been sitting in front of the school running. Upon approaching the vehicle, Turner found an adult male sleeping in the front seat. The deputy tapped on the door and the suspect woke up and rolled down his window. As soon as he did, the deputy detected a strong order of marijuana coming from the car.
Upon further investigation, Deputy Turner conducted a search of the car and found more than 26 grams of in-bag weight of marijuana, an Umarex XBG pellet handgun (.177 caliber), an empty 16-round 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun magazine, and a box of NovX Engagement Extreme Self-Defense 9mm Luger +P 65 grain ammunition with 17 rounds. Often confused as a real weapon, the pellet handgun closely resembles a semi-automatic handgun.
The suspect is a known gang member and convicted felon prohibited from possessing ammunition, with previous charges of armed robbery in Montgomery County, Maryland. FCSO is now filing charges for the illegal possession of ammunition. Deputies detained the suspect at the scene and issued a no trespassing order for GTJHS.
“This is a prime example of how the SRO program worked for the safety and security of everyone,” said Lt. Jason Deater, FCSO Patrol Operations assistant commander and FCSO SRO lead. “Our deputy was already at the school and swiftly handled the situation. The GTJHS students and staff were kept safe by his quick actions and goes to show the importance of this program.”
If you have any information related to this case, contact FCSO at 301-600-1046 and reference case number # 21-035785.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is a full-service law enforcement agency; an arm of the court, and a keeper of offenders. In this regard, it exists to serve the more than 250,000 citizens of Frederick County with respect, fairness, and compassion. FCSO is committed to the prevention of crime; the protection of life and property; the preservation of peace and order; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees; and safekeeping of prisoners. The men, women, and officers of this office nurture public trust by holding themselves to the highest standards of performance and ethics. The FCSO is located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD, 21701. Visit www.frederickcosheriff.com for more information.
