Five are in connection with a homicide.
Frederick, Md (KM) It was a busy day for the Frederick County Grand Jury. The panel returned 16 indictments on Friday, including five in connection with a homicide.
Alexis Ayala-Lopez, 22, Jose Ramos-Lopez, 23, Ismael Rivera-Canales, 20, and Elmer Reyes-Reyes, 28, all of Frederick, are each charged with 1st-degree murder and conspiracy to commit 1st-degree murder. Ismael Lopez-Lopez, 30, of Frederick is charged with being an accessory after the fact in a 1st-degree murder.
The charges stem from the murder of Limber Lopez Funez, 15, of Frederick, whose remains were found near Gambrill State Park on April 24th, 2023.. Frederick Police says the remains were confirmed to be that of Lopez Funez, whose family reported him missing in February.
“It took a long for the police who worked very, very hard on this to locate the body of the young man who was victimized and ultimately killed,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.
Police say he victim was assaulted in a wooded area near Orchard Way in February, 2023.
The Grand Jury also returned an indictment in another homicide. Derell Len Prue, 32, of Frederick, is charged with 1st-degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm with a previous violent crime conviction. Prue and James Peter Brown, 33, also of Frederick, are charged with the murder of Romario Tevin Anderson, 28, which occurred at the X-Hale Lounge at 405 North Market Street in Frederick on March 18th, 2023. “This is the situation where the defendant held a gun to the victim’s head in the kitchen area of the establishment while the co-defendant actually stabbed the victim,.Mr. Anderson, multiple times in the neck and chest,”: says Smith.
Other indictments returned by the Grand Jury:
*Shaun Smith, 43, of Frederick, Md., who is charged with 1st-degree assault, two counts of 2nd-degree assault and two counts of violation of a protective order for incidents which occurred on June 2nd and 4th, 2023.
*Marquis Jenkins, 27, of Frederick, Md., who is charged with 1st-degree assault and 2nd-degree assault for an incident which occurred on June 11th, 2023.
*Joel Paul Christensen, 42, of Frederick, Md who is charged with ten counts of promoting and distributing child pornography, and nine counts of possession of child pornography for incidents which occurred between November 23rd, 2022 to March 11th, 2023.
*Amber Laruen Ricketts, 31, of Frederick, Md. who is charged sex abuse of a minor, and several child pornography offenses for incidents which occurred between December 16th, 2019 to August 1st, 2022.
*Daniel Adams Weiser, 40, of Middletown, Md. who is charged three counts of promotion and distribution of child pornography, and eight counts of possession of child pornography for an incident which occurred on July 5th, 2022.
*Jason Michael Colley, 43, of Monrovia, Md, who is charged with two counts each of 2nd-degree assault and 2nd-degree child abuse for an incident which occurred on June 12th, 2023.
*Chelsea Elizabeth Phoenix, 18, of Germantown, Md. who is charged with 2nd-degree rape and 3rd-degree sex offense for an incident which occurred on May 28th, 2023.
*Morgan Lindsay Stambaugh, 28, of Thurmont, Md who is charged with possession of a large amount of fentanyl; conspiracy to possess a large amount of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of cocaine for an incident which occurred on June 14th, 2023.
* Elijah Emmanuel Taylor, 25, of Frederick, Md, who is charged with possession of a large amount of fentanyl; conspiracy to possess a large amount of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of cocaine for an incident which occurred on June 14th, 2023.
The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says these indictments are charging documents alleging criminal conduct, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus