Visit our Facebook page for information about the upcoming Sheriff’s Sale.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=697549422415093&set=a.227781209391919
Visit our Facebook page for information about the upcoming Sheriff’s Sale.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=697549422415093&set=a.227781209391919
Grant Solicitation/ Application
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and Bureau of Justice Assistance have announced that it is seeking applications for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, FY 2023 Local Solicitation. The BJA will be making awards to assist local and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence. See FY 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program – Local Solicitation | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov) for details.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is applying for funding in the amount of $21,982. This funding is being sought to purchase law enforcement equipment and personnel over time.
Public comment is invited. Please respond to comiller@washco-md.net or write to
Mr. Cody Miller, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 500 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21740. All Comments should be received by September 20th, 2023.
August 28, 2023
MEDIA RELEASE:
Last week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Washington County Health Department, the Washington County Department of Social Services Child Advocacy Center, and the Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, to conduct an operation that sought out human trafficking offenders. The operation was divided into two focus areas. The first focused on internet-based chats, targeting adults who seek out children for sex. The second focused on internet-based advertisements for adult sex workers.
The underage chat operations group utilized various social media platforms via covert chats and undercover law enforcement officers to chat with and meet up with those adults who solicit sex from children. Multiple internet-based contacts and in-person meet-ups were made or attempted throughout the operation. Ultimately, two adults were arrested and charged with Solicitation of a Minor. Those arrested were:
The prostitution operations group utilized various applications known to law enforcement to organize and facilitate the use of prostitution. This team attempted to set up meetings to identify and charge those who exploited the prostitutes. Those prostitutes who were contacted were cooperative, and had no other underlying offenses were turned over to the care of the Washington County Health Department, Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, and Department of Social Services Human Trafficking Regional Navigator, for diversion, STD testing, and other community-based resources. Those found to be exploiting the prostitutes were arrested and charged accordingly. Ultimately, two adults were arrested. Those arrested and their charges are as follows:
We would like to thank the following people and organizations for their unwavering support of our mission to protect the citizens of Washington County:
Victoria Sterling and Andrea Barton of the Washington County Health Department,
Rachel Mazloum and Natalie Reed of the Washington County Department of Social Services, Child Advocacy Center,
Jennifer McNew and the Staff of the Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, and
Kevin Lewis and Andrew Wood of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services.
Washington County would be much less safe without your dedication to helping the vulnerable members of our community.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Just because someone knocks on your door doesn’t mean you have to open it.
Distraction burglaries have been reported in areas near Washington County: know what to look for and make yourself a harder target.
Do you answer the door when strangers come knocking? You should be cautious and make sure they stay outside. Once you allow them to enter your home, clever thieves work quickly and seamlessly to distract you to steal your valuables. And while this technique is more frequently used to victimize older adults, anyone can become a victim. So, know how to spot the warning signs.
These crooks generally work as a two or three-person team moving from one home to the next. To trick homeowners and give them a false sense of reassurance, they often pretend to have met or done work for them previously. They may also claim to have known a close family member or once lived in the neighborhood. But these criminals are quick-witted and can come up with various stories on the fly to fit the situation.
After gaining entry to a potential victim’s home, one scammer engages the victim in a conversation, which could be casual or about a particular sales pitch, such as with flooring samples brought into the home. In any case, the goal of the conversation is to distract you from the other scammers, who then take the opportunity to slip away to steal credit cards, cash, jewelry, and other valuables. The scammers then typically move on to another area or neighborhood to disappear from your sight and victimize someone else.
Remember that it’s perfectly possible for someone working alone to distract and steal from you simultaneously. So don’t think you’re safe if only one person shows up. The scammer could distract you by swapping money, spilling something, or simply getting you to look at something far away.
It doesn’t matter who comes to your door. And while unexpected visitors are more suspicious, you should also pay attention to people you expect, such as cable installers and delivery workers. Anyone can steal from you. Just because you’re expecting someone doesn’t mean you can drop your guard.
If you aren’t expecting someone, don’t let that person into your home under any circumstance. While most people who come to your door are probably legitimate and have no intention to harm you, you can’t be sure. If you feel uncomfortable or in danger, call 911 immediately.
NOW HIRING!
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRAR ASSISTANT
This state-funded grant position allows the selected individual to work twenty-four (24) hours every two weeks.
The hourly rate is $22.50
Washington County government employment benefits are not provided for the position.
This is a part-time grant-funded position that will assist the Sex Offender Registrar with the collection, maintenance, and reporting of information as it pertains to the sexual offender registry.
For more information, visit our website, www.washcosheriff.com, under the employment tab.