The cases now move to Circuit Court.
Frederick, Md (KM) A total of five indictments were returned on Friday by the Frederick County Grand Jury.
The panel charged Anthony Bruce Skervin, 32, of Adamstown with three counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possessing a rifle/shotgun with a disqualifying criminal conviction; four counts of possession of a firearm for drug trafficking; illegal possession of ammunition; manufacture of psilocybin (mushrooms); possessing production equipment for psilocybin (fungal spores); possession with intent to distribute psilocybins; possession of psilocybin; and possession of paraphernalia (glass jars with psilocybin).
In September, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says police were dispatched to Skervin’s home on Wild Hunt Road for an eviction. “Where they made contact with the landlord. And when they were moving stuff out, they saw a bunch of weapons. The officer knew that he was prohibited from possessing those because of a disqualifying crime,” says Smith. “They found numerous weapons; and opened some safes and found some growing equipment and bags and bags of mushrooms.”
The Grand Jury also indicted two individuals for burglary. Travis Ellsworth Bowie, 30, of Frederick, is charged with 2nd-degree general burglary; 4th-degree storehouse burglary; and theft between $1500 and $25,000. Smith says those charges stem from a beak-in at the Capital Auto Center in July. “Broke into a window. Found a check and decided to write himself write a $2,000 check and then he deposited that into his checking account,:” says Smith.
Bowie was a former employee of the Capital Auto Center who was fired from his job.
Bowie was also indicted for 2nd-degree general burglary; 4th-degree storehouse burglary; and theft between $500 and $15000. Smith says those charges are for a burglary on January 7th, 2019. “This was Mr. Bowie breaking into the Olde Towne Tavern, stealing about $1,000 in cash,” says Smith. “And he obviously must have been thirsty because stole a bottle of liquor as well.”
Another burglary suspect who was indicted on Friday was Robert King, 26, of Frederick. Smith says King is charged with 1st-degree burglary, 4th-degree burglary of a dwelling; and theft between $100 and $1500 for a break-in on August 18th. “He broke into the victims’ home while they were sleeping and actually stole property,” says Smith. “We hate to see that. because, obviously, if you break into somebody’s house, in Maryland, you have an absolute right to self defense. And bad things could happen to Mr. King or those who are living there.”
King was also indicted for a burglary on August 24th. In that incident, he’s charged with 2nd-degree burglary of a storehouse; 4th-degree burglary of a storehouse; and theft between $1500 and $25,000. Smith says King broke into a garage and stole some money.
Smith says the Grand Jury did returned a number of sealed indictments which he could not comment on until they served.
These indictments move these cases to Circuit Court, where trial dates will be scheduled.
The State’s Attorney’s Office says an indictment is not a finding of guilt, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus