WALDORF, MD – The Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General today released dashboard camera footage from the fatal police pursuit that occurred on January 20, 2022, in Charles County, Maryland. The decedent was identified as 52-year-old Inga Person of Washington, D.C.
SHERIFF TROY BERRY REPORTS: The driver of the car was identified as Joseph Eugene Penn, 41, of Suitland, MD. Investigators learned Penn had an open warrant through Charles County Circuit Court for failure to appear on a felony theft case and an active civil warrant. It was also learned narcotics might have been a contributing factor in the crash. Additional criminal charges for Penn are being reviewed in consultation with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Charges of felony theft are pending for Joseph Eugene Penn, (DOB 09/04/1980) of 7054 Detroiter Place, Bryans Road, Md. Henry Druschel, a free attorney provided by the Taxpayers of Maryland represents Penn for the charges contained in a Charles County Circuit Court Grand Jury indictment issued on October 8, 2021.
A jury trial is set for March 2, 2022, before Circuit Court Judge DONINE M. CARRINGTON-MARTIN.
A preliminary hearing is to be held on February 17, 2022. The Charles County Grand Jury issued indictments on April 9, 2021, against Penn for theft under $100,000, motor vehicle theft and driving without a license.
A bench warrant was issued for Penn on September 24, 2021, and served on him in the Charles County Jail on January 23, 2022, after he was apprehended following his arrest when he fled the scene of the crash of a car he was driving as he fled from a Charles County deputy.
Joseph Eugene Penn Indicted in Montgomery County Md
The Montgomery County Grand Jury issued criminal indictments against Penn on February 6, 2020, at the time he was a guest of the Montgomery County Jail. As the charges were brought just before the onslaught of the pandemic, it was decided not to bring Penn to court for his various required appearances. Court records show that the charges were canceled on January 26, 2021.
Grand Jury had a sweetheart collection of
indictments for Penn in 2013 on Valentines Day
CHARLES COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICERS LOCATE SUSPECTS IN ASSAULT AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY:
Charles County Sheriff’s officers report that on April 7, 2012, at 3:47 a.m., officers responded to the Waldorf Motel in the 2100 block of Crain Highway for the report of a burglary in progress. The suspects had been involved in an earlier altercation with the room’s occupants who were known to them. The occupants opened the door and a struggle ensued.
The suspects fled prior to police arrival but responding officers located them a short distance away. The suspects, Joseph Eugene Penn, 31, and Billy Frank Stone Jr., 26, both of Waldorf, were arrested and charged with burglary and destruction of property. Officer Makle made the arrest
Independent Investigations Division Investigating Fatal Police Pursuit in Charles County
BALTIMORE, MD (January 21, 2022) – The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General is investigating a fatal crash following an attempted traffic stop and police pursuit that occurred Thursday night in Charles County.
On January 20, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff’s officer attempted a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry in the area of St. Charles Parkway near St. Ignatius Drive in Waldorf.
The driver failed to stop, leading officers on a pursuit. The officer pursued the Camry northbound on St. Charles Parkway where the driver ultimately lost control of the car near a curve in the roadway and crashed. One occupant, an adult male, was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The second occupant, an adult female, was pronounced dead on the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Investigators are trying to identify the occupants of two vehicles that were in the area who may have witnessed the crash and are asking anyone with additional information about this incident to call the Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division at 410-576-7070.
The IID is investigating this incident with assistance from the Maryland State Police Crash Team.
The Sheriff’s officer’s dashboard camera and microphone were activated during the incident.
The IID will generally release body camera footage or dashboard camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews if there are technical delays caused by the need to redact the identities of civilian witnesses or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.