DIRTBAG ROUNDUP: Maryland State Police Arrest Burglar Colin Eaton for Illegal Possession of Guns; Released from Jail, Pronto!
CALLAWAY, MD – Maryland State Police report that they have arrested a convicted felon on open warrants for firearms-related charges and a violation of probation charge.
The suspect, Colin Jacob Eaton, 26, (DOB 11/17/1994) of 22266 St. Clements, Maryland, was arrested on May 11, 2020, by Maryland State Trooper Matthew Pitcher from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division – Firearms Enforcement Unit.
Eaton is charged with nine counts of rifle/shotgun possession as a disqualified person. In addition to the arrest warrant, Eaton was also wanted on an open violation of probation warrant from Calvert County.
As part of their investigation, troopers served a search and seizure warrant and located Eaton at a residence in Callaway, Maryland. Eaton was arrested without incident and transported to the St. Mary’s County Jail.
The Maryland State Police issued a statement that said that this case highlights the State Police goal of helping to prevent and investigate multi-jurisdictional crime while supporting allied law enforcement agencies across Maryland.
The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division – Firearms Enforcement Unit is committed to supporting Governor Hogan’s efforts to reduce gun violence. The Firearms Enforcement Unit consists of sworn troopers who are tasked with working throughout the state to identify those illegally in possession of firearms and infiltrating and dismantling criminal organizations perpetuating firearm-related violence.
Despite the desires of Gov. Hogan to reduce gun violence, Eaton was able to post a bond and skip out of the slammer the same day as this is the Allice in Wonderland Maryland Judiciary where criminals don’t really have to fear jail. The woeful taxpayers of Maryland will be providing this repeat offender a free attorney.
When arrested by St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tyler Westphal on five counts of burglary and property destruction on May 20, 2019, Eaton picked up a plea deal from St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz. THE DEAL: All charges were put on the Stet Docket on Dec. 3, 2019, with no fine and no time. The taxpayers of Maryland provided his free attorney to make the deal.
When facing felony burglary and theft charges in Calvert County Circuit Court on Aug. 6, 2016, Eaton was represented by Cara Halverson of the taxpayer-funded Public Defender’s Office in Prince Frederick. In a plea deal with Calvert County States Attorney Laura Martin on Nov. 7, 2016, Colin Jacob Eaton, who was living at a Hughesville address at the time of his arrest on March 21, 2016, entered an Alford Plea of guilty to theft under $10,000. THE DEAL: the burglary charge was dropped and Eaton was sent to prison for three years with all but nine months suspended which allowed him to serve the time in the Calvert County Jail – a veritable country club compared to the Big House in Jessup.
On March 6, 2020, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest for violation of the terms of his probation.
A final order involving child abuse in domestic violence by Colin Eaton was issued by a District Court Judge in Leonardtown on Dec. 23, 2013
MECHANICS WANTED
