Frederick County Grand Jury Indicts Thurmont Man For Murder

He’s also charged with possession and manufacturing of explosives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 1: Joshua Eckenrode

Photo 2: Curtis Mason Smith

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Grand Jury on Friday returned 12 indictments, including two against a Thurmont man. Joshua David Eckenrode, 19, is charged with 1st-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. “People have probably seen in the news that he was charged with murdering Curtis Mason Smith. He left his body in a car,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.

The car containing Curtis Mason Smith’s body was found last month along Runnymeade Drive north of Frederick. He had been shot to death.

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says the Grand Jury also indicted Eckenrode for three counts of possession of explosive devices, three counts of manufacture of destructive devices, and one count of possession of explosive materials, possession of explosives without a license, eight counts of possession of firearms under 21 and other offenses. He says this follows a search of Eckenrode’s home. “They found a lot of guns, explosive materials, etc. Rapid-fire trigger violation as well,” says the State’s Attorney.

The Grand Jury also indicted David Antonio Gonzalez-Roldan, 48, of Fredrerick for a domestic violence case. “The Frederick Police Department investigated and found him to have allegedly strangled his girlfriend several times after becoming enraged,” says Smith Gonzalez-Roldan is charged with 1st- and 2nd-degree assault.

Another domestic violence case involved Markel Deontay Thomas, 24,of Frederick, whose charged with 1st- and 2nd-degree assault, and disorderly conduct. Smith says it all began as an argument between Thomas and his girlfriend inside Victoria’s Secret at the FSK Mall. “The defendant and the victim continued outside to the parking lot,” says Smith. “The defendant goes to strangle the victim. The victim actually blacks out. While she was being interviewed, she could barely talk to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputies.”

The Grand Jury also returned indictments in cases involving sexual abuse of minors. Jose Arnoldo Contreras Villatoro, 66, of Frederick, whose charged with sex abuse of a minor, 4th-degree sex offense, 2nd-degree assault and resisting arrest. “Indicted on terrible counts regarding grabbing a two-year-old female victim in a sexual manner, kissing her,” says Smith. “The victim was brought to Frederick Health Hospital for an evaluation. and that led to the defendant’s arrest on those charges.”

Smith says Glenn Niniger, 51, of Frederick, who was indicted on five counts of sex abuse of a minor. “Police were contacted because the victim tried to commit suicide,” says Smith. “So the police did an interview. who disclosed he had been molested from age four to 17.” The offenses had occurred between 1988 and 2002, according to the Grand Jury.

Other indictments handed down by the Grand Jury include:

*Cody Keller Bowman, 26, of Frederick, who is charged with two counts of 1st-degree assault, and two counts of 2nd-degree assault for incidents on March 27th, 2021 and April 11th, 2021.

*Jade Melody Harper, 31, of Thurmont who’s charged with five counts of child abuse in the 2nd-degree for incidents that occurred on June 10th, 2018 and October 6th, 2019.

*Ragime Lenard Franklin, 30, of Frederick who’s charged with assault in the 1st-degree; reckless endangerment; two counts of assault in the 2nd-degree; and dangerous weapon intent/injure. The offenses occurred on March 25th, 2021.

*Thelma D. Andrews, 46, of Gettysburg, PA is charged with possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine, and possession of Fentanyl and Cocaine. The offense took place on March 16th, 2021.

*Dearil Green, III, 44, of Frederick, who is charged with arson in the 1st-degree of a dwelling, attempted arson in the 1st-degree of a dwelling, malicious burning in the 2nd-degree, seven counts of reckless endangerment, assault in the 1st-degree, and assault in the 2nd-degree. The offense date is listed as April 4th, 2021.

*Oleh J. Kuziw, 35, of New Market is charged with assault in the 1st-degree and assault in the 2nd-degree for an incident on April 4th, 2021.

All cases will move to a Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled. Jury trials are supposed to resume on April 26th, 2021. Jury trials are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Indictments are charging documents alleging criminal conduct, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

By Kevin McManus