Washington County District Court briefs

November 30, 2007|By HEATHER KEELS

Hagerstown man sentenced in assault, attempted stabbing

A 21-year-old Hagerstown man was sentenced to eight months in jail Wednesday for assaulting and attempting to stab a 17-year-old during a confrontation the night of July 22, according to court documents.

Ryon Graham Bland, of 738 Lanvale St., pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and reckless endangerment in Washington County District Court, records show.

Witnesses told police the conflict began when Bland approached a group and asked one of them, "Do you see something you like?" according to charging documents filed by Hagerstown Police Officer A.W. Fleegal.

The 17-year-old victim said Bland grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him face down on the ground, then picked him up and threw him against a vehicle, all while holding a 4-inch long pocketknife, Fleegal said in charging documents.

The prosecution previously dropped charges that Bland assaulted and endangered two other people, and first-degree assault charges were dismissed early in the case.

Bland's sentence will be reduced by 128 days credited as time served, according to court documents.

Religious group faces higher fine for failing to maintain weeds, trash

A judge raised a fine against Shiloh Ministries of Hagerstown on Tuesday for failure to maintain weeds and rubbish on its property, the former YMCA building at 149 Potomac St., according to Washington County District Court documents.

A city code officer cited Shiloh Ministries on Sept. 12, saying it had failed to maintain weeds in the sidewalk, and rubbish and garbage on the property after being given notice to do so, according to court documents.

When Shiloh Ministries failed to pay the $200 fine or request to stand trial, the city filed a request for the court to double the fine, according to court records. Shiloh Ministries failed to appear for trial and the judge issued a fine of $300, according to the records.

Shiloh Ministries could not be reached for comment. The Herald-Mail reported in January 2002 that the religious nonprofit group bought the building for $500,000 for use as a Christian retreat and conference center.

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