One was against a local elected official.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Grand Jury on Friday returned seven indictments, including one against Thurmont Town Commissioner Robert Lookingbill. Lookingbill, 71, is charged with sex abuse of a minor, 3rd-degree sex offense and 2nd-degree assault.
Lookingbill was arrested in April for an incident on March 1st, 2024.. . The Sheriff’s Office says Lookingbill, who was a Frederick County Public Schools bus driver, inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl on the bus. He was released on personal recognizance.
A Washington DC woman was indicted on two counts each of robbery and 2nd-degree assault, and one count of theft less than $100, and attempted theft of between $1500 to $25,000. Nola Ann Michelle Bens, 59, was arrested for attempting to take another woman’s purse as the victim was putting money into a parking meter at South Carroll Street and Carroll Creek. The suspect tried to grab the purse, and there was a struggle. The victim weas assaulted and threatened with a gun, according to Frederick Police. The suspect manage to steal the victim’s car keys before fleeing.
Police say the incident occurred on February 21st, 2024 . Bens was arrested on April 15th in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Grand Jury also issued a supplemental indictment against Nicholas Peter Albanes, 42, of Frederick, charging him with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Albanes was indicted in January, 2024 ,for attempted kidnapping of a child under 18, robbery, theft, and two counts of 2nd-degree assault. .
Frederick Police say on May 10th, 2023, Albanes attempted to grab an eight-year-old girl who was walking with her mother near a bus stop at Hillcrest Drive on the Golden Mile. But the girl’s mother grabbed her child away from the suspect. That person took the woman’s purse, and made another attempt to grab the little girl, but mother resisted. The two were sprayed with pepper spray.
The other indictments returned by the Grand Jury on Friday are:
*Chet Burton Free, 60, of Hagerstown, who is charged with sex abuse of a minor; two counts of 2nd-degree sex offense; two count of 2nd-degree rape; and one count of 3rd-degree sex offense for offenses which occurred between January 25th, 2017 and January 24th, 2019.
*Crus Fernando Avila, 22, of Hagerstown, who is charged with 3rd-degree sex offense for an offense which occurred on February 20,, 2024.
*Mitchell Allen Spielman, 31, of Union Bridge, who is charged with sexual solicitation of a minor, and possession with intent to distribute cannabis, for an offense which occurred on May 2nd, 2024.
*Kevin Tyrone Davis, Jr., of Baltimore, Md., who is charged w3ith 3rd-degree burglary’; 4th-degree burglary of a dwelling; robbery; 2nd-degree assault; theft of between $100 and $1500; and theft less than $100 for an offense which occurred on April 29th, 2024.
These indictments move these cases to the Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.
The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says indictments are charging documents alleging criminal conduct, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
By Kevin McManus