PRISONER DEAD IN CALVERT: Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans punted investigation to Maryland State Police while absolving deputies from fault; edited press release saying he was pleased about “handcuffs”

PRISONER DEAD IN CALVERT: Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans punted investigation to Maryland State Police while absolving deputies from fault; edited press release, saying he was pleased about “handcuffs”

UPDATE: The Maryland State Police Media Affairs Spokesman Gregory Shipley has confirmed to THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY that the State Police Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the death of Antoine Brooks, at the request of the Calvert County sheriff

HUNTINGTOWN, MD. – A man with a history of drug use was captured as he vandalized property in a stage of disrobing in Huntingtown, Md, on June 26, 2021, about 1:00 pm, and after he was handcuffed to wait for a transport van to go to the Calvert County Jail, admitted to deputies to consuming drugs.

As he continued to devolve in his medical condition, Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans reports that the responding emergency medical technicians administered Narcan, used an AED and performed CPR – all to no avail – as the man was rushed to Calvert Hospital where he died.

Sheriff Evans reported that no taser was used to subdue the man during the arrest.

The Maryland State Police is now conducting the investigation of the Patrol deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department who responded to a report of the suspicious person breaking windows in the 2100 block of Lowery Road.

When Calvert Deputies arrived and located the suspect, identified as Antoine Dominique Brooks, 31, (DOB 04/18/1989) Huntingtown, Md, they placed him under arrest.

The body of Brooks was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

At this time, the cause and manner of death are listed as pending, said Sheriff Evans in a written report. Toxicology results are also pending, along with the results of additional testing of vital organs.

At the request of the Sheriff and the Calvert County State’s Attorney, the investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit.  State Police investigators are continuing to review body camera footage and conducting interviews with witnesses.  State Police crime scene technicians responded to process the scene. Apparently, the Maryland State Police Media representatives have been sidelined in their own investigation as Sheriff Evans continues to be the lead in the investigation he asked the State Police to take over from his department.

Evans, in his press release said, “upon completion, the investigation by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit will be forwarded to the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.”

In spite of the Maryland State Police taking the control of the investigation, Sheriff Evans reports that arrangements have been made to review the body camera footage with the Brook’s family on June 28, 2021.  Evans says that the release of the video is being withheld from the public.

A few minutes after the Calvert Sheriff’s Department issued a press release absolving the Calvert Deputies of any responsibility for the overdose death of Brooks and reveals that no video will be released until after the family sees the video on June 28, 2021, Sheriff Mike Evans sent out another press release which simply stated: “I like the handcuffs added.” From his iPhone.

Brooks was arrested in St. Mary’s County by St. Mary’s Deputy S. Lefave on a statement of charges issued by the St. Mary’s States Attorney’s Office on June 7, 2021, charging him with three counts of possession of drugs.   Charges of nine counts of credit card theft were placed against Brooks on December 14, 2020. A trial for those charges was set for July 1, 2021, in District Court for St. Mary’s County.

Brooks faced more drug charges in Calvert County on July 14, 2021, in District Court.  Calvert Sheriff’s Department Deputy Flynt arrested Brooks on May 13, 2020, for multiple counts of possession of drugs on May 13, 2020.

Brooks pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property on March 13, 2019, and sentenced to sixty days in jail.  Theft charges were pending in Calvert District Court on January 25, 2018, when Brooked entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to fifteen days in jail.  Felony theft conviction on September 19, 2013, resulted in a sentence of five years in prison.