Blues Fest Beats Out Aquapalooza on Pot, Drunk Boating Arrests

Blue Fest Arrests
On Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, Maryland Natural Resources Police provided security and patrol during the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival held at Sandy Point State Park. The 2-day event drew nearly 12,000 people in attendance. NRP issued 18 citations and arrested 13 on drug charges.

The following individuals were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana, and possession of CDS paraphernalia:

Matthew Ryon McKelug, 51 of Trappe; Timothy James Haywood, 40 of Annapolis; John Joseph Winter, 49 of Wallingford Pa.,; Andrew Dulis Roe, 49 of Severna Park; Dean Allan Athanasion, 49 of Baltimore; Stephen Vanture Davis, 53 of Cambridge; Michael George Lilburn, 21 of Clifton, Va.; Justin Drake Piteleski, 21 of Ashburn, Va.; Harold Ray Strong, 42 of Annapolis; William Patrick Hoker, 51 of Bowie; Stanley Frank Fachet, 40 of Annapolis; Peter Eugene Sudassy, 49 of Colonial Beach, Va.; and Janice Tucker Ritz, 41, of Nashville Tenn.

2,120 Checked at Aquapalooza
On Saturday July 28, the Maryland Natural Resources Police patrolled the area of Fairview Beach on the Potomac River and provided security for the “Aquapalooza” event, with over 600 boats and 5,000 people in attendance. NRP made 2,120 contacts, 60 vessel safety checks, issued 10 citations, and arrested two for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol.

Leo Frank Wilmes, 42, of King George, Va. was charged with operating a motor vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vessel while impaired by alcohol, and operating a motor vessel while impaired by alcohol per se.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) stopped Wilmes operating his 32-foot Cabin Cruiser for a routine vessel safety inspection. USCG contacted NRP and requested assistance for a possible intoxicated operator. He was subsequently arrested by NRP and transported to the King George County, Va. Sheriff’s Office. Wilmes took a breath test, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of .11 percent.

Later that night, NRP charged Valerie Ann Bennett, 43, of Stafford Va. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and operating a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise. She was transported to the King George County, Va. Sheriff’s Office where she refused a breath test.