One was a man who is charged with setting fire to a house.
Frederick, Md (KM) Members of the Frederick County Grand Jury returned nine indictments on Friday
The panel charged Byron Alton Bowie, 47, of Frederick with 1st-degree arson, arson threat and nine counts of reckless endangerment. He was taken into custody on Friday, November 24th, 2023 following an incident in the 2200 block of Waller House Court.
Frederick Police say Bowie is accused of breaking into a home and setting a fire. Officers noticed damage to a rear door, and saw smoke coming from the residence. Fire and rescue were dispatched to put out the fire. Officers evacuated nearby town houses. .
Witnesses told police they saw a man at the back door yelling threats to harm people and burn everything down. During their investigation, officers interviewed the homeowner whose house was damaged by fire She was not home at the time, but told police she recognized Bowie as someone who was known to her on her doorbell camera break into her home before the fire started.
Bowie is currently being held without bond.
A second person indicted was Keith Lamarr Wright, 41, of Frederick. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine on school property (a bus); possession with intent to distribute, use of a firearm in drug trafficking; possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony; illegal possession of ammunition,; and illegal possession of a regulated firearm.
Wright was arrested in November after police served a search and seizure warrant at his apartment on Key Parkway. They found a small amount of heroin, cash, a firearm and 35 rounds of ammunition. He currently remains jailed without bond.
Other indictments include:
*Niashawn Lamie Brown, 19, of Frederick, Md., who is charged with robbery; armed robbery; 2nd-degree theft; theft of $100 to $1500 for an incident which occurred on August 17th, 2023.
*Marvin Daniel Diaz, Jr,, 18, of Frederick, Md. who is charged with 2nd-degree rape for an incident which occurred on September 9th, 2023.
*Jose Angel Esponoza-Galdamez, 77, of Manassas, Va. who is charged with sex abuse of a minor; three counts of 2nd-degree sex offense; three counts of 2nd-degree rape; and three counts of 3rd-degree sex offense for incidents whish occurred between July 2nd, 2016 to July 1st, 2019.
*Daniel Lee Davis, 33, of Woodsboro, Md. who is charged with 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault; reckless endangerment; and violating his release conditions for incidents which occurred between, November 23rd to November 27th, 2023.
* Charles E. Brown, 34, of Frederick, Md. who is charged with 1st-degree assault; 2nd-degree assault; use of a firearm in a felony violent crime; possession of a firearm with a violent felony conviction; illegal possession of a regulated firearm; having a loaded handgun on his person; and having a handgun on his person for incident which occurred on November 19th, 2023.
* Calres Arturo Vallalobos, 44, of Frederick, Md. who is charged with 2nd-degree child abuse and 2nd-degree assault for an incident which occurred on September 5th, 2023
* Wayne Anthony Watkins, Jr.,Boyds, Md. who is charged with possession of a firearm with a violent felony conviction; illegal possession of a regulated firearm; having a loaded handgun on his person; having a handgun on his person, and illegal possession of ammunition for an incident which occurred on November 27th, 2023.
The State’s Attorney’s Office says these indictments move these cases to Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.
Prosecutors also say that indictments are charging documents alleging criminal behavior, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus