LA PLATA, Md. — A man acquitted of murder after spending months in jail and more than two years on house arrest has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against two Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigators, alleging false statements in charging documents led to his arrest and prosecution.
Artie Cofield, 55, filed the complaint May 14, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Cpl. Andrea Worley and retired Master Sgt. Timothy Miner.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has until Aug. 10, 2026, to respond to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges Worley included three materially false statements in an application for charges and that Miner failed to properly supervise the investigation or intervene before Cofield was arrested.
Cofield was charged in the killing of Herbert Andrei James, who was found shot in the back of the head inside his Waldorf apartment on Oct. 27, 2020.
James had won approximately $7,900 while gambling at MGM National Harbor earlier that month. Cofield, who knew James, was with him at the casino before the two went grocery shopping and returned to James’ apartment.
Cofield later left Maryland to attend to a family matter.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office began focusing on Cofield after learning he had been with James at the casino, the lawsuit states. Investigators obtained phone, financial, casino, social media and location records during the investigation.
The complaint alleges no firearm or physical evidence connected Cofield to the killing and that DNA recovered from the apartment did not identify him as a contributor.
It also claims investigators failed to fully pursue other leads, including reports that James argued with another person at the casino, may have been followed home and received several text messages from people asking him for money after his casino winnings became known.
The investigation was reassigned to Worley in August 2021 following the promotion of the original lead investigator. The complaint describes the case as Worley’s first homicide investigation as lead detective.
Worley submitted an application for charges Feb. 4, 2022. A warrant was issued, and Cofield was arrested eight days later in Wichita Falls, Texas, while traveling with his wife and two minor children.
He was extradited to Maryland and held at the Charles County Detention Center until September 2022. Cofield was then placed on house arrest, where he remained until his trial in 2025.
Lawsuit Alleges Three False Statements
The lawsuit alleges Worley falsely stated that Cofield had not communicated or attempted to communicate with James between Oct. 10 and Oct. 27, 2020.
Phone records showed Cofield called James on Oct. 22 and Oct. 25, the complaint states.
Worley also allegedly wrote that Cofield never contacted detectives after learning of James’ death. The complaint states Cofield called the sheriff’s office twice on Oct. 27, 2020, but his calls were not returned.
A third statement claimed Cofield spent approximately $6,118 between Oct. 11 and Oct. 20, 2020, implying the money came from James’ casino winnings.
The lawsuit alleges the figure was based on an inaccurate calculation that mixed deposits with withdrawals and did not account for Cofield’s legitimate income.
During Cofield’s criminal trial, Worley acknowledged that statements concerning the phone calls were false and that she had not independently verified the financial calculation before including it in the sworn charging document, the complaint states.
The lawsuit further alleges the application omitted evidence that could have weakened probable cause, including the lack of a weapon, the absence of physical evidence, possible alternative suspects and reports of gunshots during times when Cofield was known to be elsewhere.
Acquitted On All Counts
Cofield’s trial began Feb. 24, 2025, in Charles County Circuit Court.
On March 5, 2025, a jury found him not guilty on all 13 counts, including first-degree murder.
Following the acquittal, Cofield filed an internal affairs complaint with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
The lawsuit states the agency sustained an allegation against Worley for failing to properly perform her duties. She received a letter of reprimand in September 2025 concerning an inaccurate statement about phone calls included in the charging application.
The complaint alleges Worley remains employed as a detective.
Cofield claims he suffered serious physical, financial and emotional harm while incarcerated and under home detention.
The lawsuit states he was held in protective custody for 23 hours a day, developed dangerously high blood pressure and was unable to financially or emotionally support his family.
His attorneys allege he continues to suffer anxiety and rarely leaves his home.
“Artie Cofield lost nearly three years of his life because Charles County detectives cut corners and put false statements in sworn charging documents,” attorney Alisha Jarwala stated. “This lawsuit is about holding those officers accountable and ensuring that what happened to Artie does not happen to anyone else.”
The complaint includes federal claims of evidence fabrication, malicious prosecution and failure to intervene, along with state claims of malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of the Maryland Constitution.
Cofield is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and other relief determined by the court. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount
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Please just follow good policy and proper training and coaching from co workers/supervisors and the public will be well served. I really feel sorry for Mr. Cofield and his family –a Kafka-isk nightmare that puts me on alert when I’m around police. Sad all around because there are so many excellent police officers smeared by this type of thing.
Fair is fair: Pay the man.
They wonder why more and more people hate the police nowadays.