Convicted felon arrested for murder of 23-year-old man in Lexington Park, attempted murder in Hollywood – Southern Maryland News Net

Joseph Daren Brooks, 22, of Lexington Park, has been charged in two separate cases stemming from incidents that occurred in early 2024. He is accused of attempted murder, assault and weapons offenses in both cases, and one count of murder.

Brooks remains in custody while the cases are heard in court.

Filming in Hollywood, Maryland

On Saturday, March 9, 2024, at approximately 12:13 a.m., emergency personnel were called to a shooting at Hollywood Plaza. is located at 24502 ​​Three Notch Road in Hollywood, Maryland.

Upon arrival, they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim was conscious, alert, and speaking with emergency responders. He was quickly flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter 7 to a nearby trauma center for further treatment.

Following this incident, Brooks was indicted on August 19, 2024. He was charged with several charges, including:

• Attempted premeditated murder
• Attempted second degree murder
• First degree assault
• Use of firearms in a crime or violent crime
• Illegal possession of a regulated firearm

The charges are based on Brooks' alleged involvement in the shooting. According to the indictment, Brooks conspired with another person, Zahlir Gantt, to commit first-degree murder and first-degree assault during the shooting.

Brooks pleaded not guilty during a court hearing on September 23, 2024 and remains incarcerated without bail.

Malic Quinn Freeland, 23

Murder of Malic Freeland

On Monday, February 26, 2024, at approximately 9:15 p.m., emergency personnel responded to a car crash at the intersection of Valley Drive and Fox Ridge Road in Lexington Park.

When they arrived, they found 23-year-old Malic Quinn Freeland trapped in a vehicle that had crashed into a fence and a shed. Freeland was unconscious and had numerous gunshot wounds.

Firefighters worked quickly to extricate him from the vehicle, and he was flown to a trauma center by Maryland State Police Trooper 7 helicopter with life-threatening injuries.

Freeland succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead the following day, February 27, 2024. Investigators later determined that the car crash was caused by Freeland sustaining gunshot wounds prior to the crash. His death is being investigated as a homicide by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks was indicted on September 9, 2024 and charged with:

• First degree murder
• Second degree murder
• First degree assault
• Use of firearms in a crime or violent crime
• Possession of an offensive weapon
• Possession of a rapid-fire trigger activator

The investigation revealed that Brooks allegedly conspired with Jontae Proctor and Zahlir Gantt to murder Freeland. The vehicle involved in the incident, a red 2020 Hyundai Elantra, was stolen earlier that same day and later recovered by police less than five miles from the crime scene.

As in the previous case, Brooks pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bail.

Below is a detailed account of Brooks' legal history based on court documents, including case details, charges, and trial proceedings.

Drug possession and paraphernalia (June 2022)

Incident overview: On June 14, 2022, Joseph Brooks, a 25-year-old man, was arrested by Deputy Tyler Westphal of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department after committing a traffic violation while driving in a known drug area. His vehicle, a Toyota Highlander, failed to come to a complete stop before entering a public roadway, resulting in a traffic stop.

During the stop, Brooks was identified and a sniffer dog unit was called to the scene. The sniffer dog officer searched the vehicle and found a narcotics alarm. A subsequent search found crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. He was released on parole the day of his arrest.

Fees: Possession of Crack Cocaine: Brooks was charged with possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) after crack cocaine was found in his vehicle. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: During the search, items were found including Brillo pads, commonly used for smoking crack cocaine.

Court proceedings: Filing Date: June 14, 2022 Court: District Court for St. Mary's County Attorney: Brooks was represented by a St. Mary's County public defender Trial Date: August 15, 2022 Result: Brooks pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to pre-sentence probation, meaning that if he successfully completes probation, there would be no conviction.

Case status: Case Closed: The case was officially closed on August 15, 2022, after the probation verdict was issued.

Drug trafficking and weapons possession (May 2022)

Incident overview: On May 10, 2022, a search warrant was executed on Brooks' residence in Lexington Park, Maryland as part of a drug trafficking investigation. The search, conducted by Deputy Austin Schultz of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, resulted in the discovery of 97.7 grams of marijuana packaged in a manner indicative of distribution. In addition, a 12-gauge shotgun, digital scales, and plastic baggies were found at Brooks' residence, indicating an ongoing drug sale.

Fees: Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense: This charge, which carries a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, was brought due to the presence of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. Possession of marijuana (over 97 grams) with intent to distribute: The large amount of marijuana found during the search indicated Brooks' intent to sell or distribute the drugs.

Court proceedings: Filing Date: May 11, 2022 Court: District Court for St. Mary's County; later transferred to Circuit Court Attorney: Brooks was represented by Bradley Warby, a private attorney, during the proceedings in Circuit Court Hearing Dates: Several hearings were held, including a bail review hearing on May 12, 2022, and a preliminary hearing on June 9, 2022, where a probable cause finding was made. Result: Brooks pleaded guilty on March 24, 2023. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison, with 317 days suspended, followed by 3 years of supervised probation.

Case status: Case closed: The case was closed after the verdict was announced in March 2023.

Weapons possession and resisting arrest (June 2021)

Incident overview: On June 15, 2021, Brooks, then 18, was involved in a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest for possession of a firearm and resisting law enforcement. During the stop, Deputy Alexander Wynnyk of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office discovered Brooks was carrying a loaded handgun. This discovery led to several serious charges, including resisting law enforcement when Brooks actively resisted police attempts to arrest him.

Fees and orders: Loaded Handgun on Person: Offense Details: Brooks was found with a loaded handgun during the traffic stop, which is a violation of Maryland gun laws, particularly since Brooks was under the age of 21 and thus was not eligible to legally possess the firearm. plea: Brooks pleaded guilty to this charge before Judge Joseph Michael Stanalonis on December 10, 2021. Verdict: He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, beginning December 19, 2022.

Resisting arrest: Offense Details: During the arrest, Brooks actively resisted officers' attempts to detain him, which further aggravated his legal situation. Resisting arrest is a serious offense that often results in additional penalties. plea: Brooks pleaded guilty to this charge in addition to the firearm possession charge on December 10, 2021. Verdict: Brooks received an additional 18 months in prison, which he must serve consecutively with his firearm possession sentence.

Court proceedings and legal representation: Date of Filing: The criminal case was formally filed in the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County on July 28, 2021. Attorney: Brooks was initially represented by a public defender but later retained Robert Richard Castro, a private attorney based in Waldorf, Maryland. Bail: After an arrest warrant was issued for Brooks on July 29, 2021, he was held without bail due to the severity of the charges against him. Sentencing: After several hearings, including a postponed sentencing, Brooks was sentenced on December 19, 2022, to a total of 18 months in prison for the weapons offense and 18 months for resisting arrest, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Legal timeline and court hearings: The case involved numerous hearings and motions prior to final sentencing: Bail review hearings: Held on August 4, 2021, and August 13, 2021, to determine Brooks' pretrial release status, during which he was held without bail. Status hearings: Several status hearings were held throughout 2021 and 2022, including hearings on September 29, 2021, and December 10, 2021, while the case was being tried in court. Attempt: A jury trial was originally scheduled for December 14-15, 2021, but was canceled. Brooks chose to enter a guilty plea on December 10, 2021, thus avoiding a trial. Sentencing: The final sentencing took place on December 19, 2022 before Judge Stanalonis, closing the case.

Case status: The case was officially closed following Brooks' conviction in December 2022.

This entry was posted on September 24th, 2024 at 7:11 am and is filed under A, All News, County, Fire & Rescue, Law Enforcement, St. Mary's News, z 600X120 Top Ad Bottom, z Police Ad Above. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.