State's Attorney's Office for Charles County

11/10/2026

Today, multiple members of the SAO had the pleasure of attending Piccowaxen Middle School's Career Day to talk about their careers at the State's Attorney's Office!

11/05/2026

Last week, Assistant State's Attorneys Chloe Dopico and Amia Price, as well as Jermisha Farmer from our Victim Witness Assistance Division, had the pleasure of speaking with students at J.C Parks Elementary School for their Career Day!

11/05/2026

A huge thank you to the State's Attorney's Office for Charles County for providing these wonderful care bags!

​Filled with thoughtful treats and essential resources, these packages will offer comfort, hope, and support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence when they need it most. We are so grateful for your partnership and dedication to our community!

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10/30/2026

It's always a treat having these special visitors stop by the office!

10/30/2026

Last week, members of the SAO attended the 50th Advanced Course on Strangulation Prevention, held October 20–23. The training focused on strengthening the investigation, documentation, and felony prosecution of strangulation cases, an important component of addressing domestic violence and protecting survivors.

Members of the office also attended the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc. Annual Victims’ Rights Gala, an event honoring victims of crime while raising awareness of their rights. The gala supports the Center’s mission to provide legal advocacy, resources, and emotional support to victims throughout Maryland.

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, our commitment does not. We remain dedicated to standing with survivors of domestic violence, advocating for victims of all crimes, and working to ensure that every victim has access to the support, resources, and justice they deserve. This work continues year-round.

Training Picture from Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention

10/28/2026

State v. Kareem Abdul Isaroon, C-08-CR-25-000606

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, a Charles County jury, after a 4-day trial, convicted Kareem Abdul Isaroon, 51, of Indian Head, of Sexual Abuse a Minor.

On September 8, 2025, a detective with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Center for Children to observe a forensic interview with the juvenile victim. During the interview, the victim disclosed that Isaroon had sexually abused her on multiple occasions.

An investigation revealed that Isaroon resided with the victim from 2023 through 2025. During that time, he repeatedly touched the victim inappropriately after she entered his room.

On September 5, 2025, the victim disclosed the incidents to detectives and Child Protective Services personnel who were investigating a separate suspected child abuse/child neglect report.

A sentencing date has been set for December 16, 2026. Isaroon faces 25 years in prison.

10/28/2026

State v. Amar Julio Barrera, C-08-CR-25-000591

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Amar Julio Barrera, 44, to 10 years in prison for Home Invasion, Kidnapping, and related charges. Barrera will be on supervised probation for a period of five years after his release. If he violates the terms of his probation, he faces a potential 45 years in prison.

On March 20, 2026, a Charles County jury found Barrera guilty of the above charges.

On September 25, 2025, officers with Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center for a reported assault. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim in the emergency room lobby. The victim had visible facial injuries and reported that he had been assaulted and kidnapped at his residence on September 23, 2025.

An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of September 23, 2025, the victim was inside his residence when Barrera and three other co-defendants, including Samantha Lynn Hergett, a relative of the victim, entered the house. The victim was physically assaulted by two of the male co-defendants and attempted to defend himself. During the assault, Barrera tased the victim leaving him incapacitated. The co-defendants then dragged the victim from the home, bound his wrists and ankles, and placed him in the back seat of a white Ford F-150 driven by Barrera.

The victim was transported to Hergett’s house in Clinton, where he was restrained and beaten by the two male co-defendants. Barrera and the two males threatened to kill the victim and his family if he attempted to leave. On September 25, 2025, the victim was picked up by another relative and brought back to Charles County. The victim’s mother then took him to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Text message exchanges showed that Barrera planned the home invasion and kidnapping. He coordinated the attack with Hergett, who was also his girlfriend, and his two other co-defendants, believing the victim had taken his property.

On March 23, 2026, Hergett pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping and was sentenced to 8 years in prison on April 15, 2026.

At Barrera’s sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie, requesting 60 years in prison, told the judge that what the victim experienced was “torture.” He furthered, “This case does not happen but for Mr. Barrera. He’s the driving force for it to occur. You cannot engage in self-help like this. There was never a good ending for this.”

Prior to sentencing Barrera for 10 years in prison, the Honorable Judge Gibbs told him, “These actions were violent, senseless, cruel, and terrorizing. You made a very bad choice. [You attempted] to teach a grown man a lesson. When you resort to self-help, things can get out of hand. You terrorized this young man and there is no legal justification for it.”

[Full press release on website.]

10/27/2026

State v. Dominick Jermaine W Hawkins, C-08-CR-25-000605

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Dominick Jermaine W Hawkins, 19, to 38 years in prison for the Felony Murder of Baxter O’Henry Hubbard, Grossly Negligent Manslaughter: Vehicle, as well as related charges. Hawkins will be on supervised probation for a period of five years upon his release. If he violates the terms of his probation, he faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

On August 28, 2026, a Charles County jury found Hawkins guilty of the above charges.

On December 3, 2024, officers with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, La Plata Police Department and Charles County Sheriff’s Office received a broadcast alerting them to a vehicle pursuit originating in King George, Virginia and entering Maryland. The vehicle, a 2017 Kia Forte, was traveling at approximately 120 miles per hour after its occupants allegedly committed an armed robbery at a Sheetz in King George County. A King George County Sheriff’s deputy was pursuing the vehicle as it entered Maryland.

In an effort to stop the vehicle, officers deployed stop sticks at locations south and north of Maryland Route 6.

Hawkins, who was driving the Kia, struck two sets of stop sticks before running a red light in the Town of La Plata. The Kia then collided into the rear of a Honda CR-V that was making a left turn from Port To***co Road onto Northbound U.S. Route 301, causing the Kia to veer into the median and collide with multiple trees and a metal guardrail. The Honda was forced to the right and struck a concrete curb.

All individuals involved in the collision were transported to area hospitals. Hawkins and the driver of the Honda survived their injuries. Hubbard, who was 16 years old and seated in the front passenger seat of the Kia, succumbed to his injuries on December 5, 2024.

The investigation determined that Hawkins caused the collision by attempting to flee from the police at a high rate of speed and running a red light.

Investigators also determined that the Kia Hawkins was driving had been stolen prior to the armed robbery.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Cody Ballard told the judge “The defendant’s actions that night warranted a substantial amount of incarceration.” He furthered, “This was more than an accident. This was a blatant disregard for public safety. He was out of control, and his behavior is indicative of a person out of control. Mr. Hubbard’s life was taken because of the defendant’s actions.”

Before sentencing Hawkins to 38 years, the Honorable Judge West said, “There are so many aspects of this case that are just tragic. What I saw was as reckless as someone could be, [you were] given every opportunity to call it off. There is no real good explanation for anything that happened.”

State v. Dominick Jermaine W Hawkins, C-08-CR-25-000605

10/26/2026

On Friday afternoon, the office gathered to celebrate and bid farewell to Assistant State’s Attorney Cody Ballard after more than seven years of dedicated service to the SAO while simultaneously serving in the United States Army.

Your presence, conversations, and humor have made an impact on our office, and you will certainly be missed. We thank you for your commitment to serving the citizens of Charles County and our nation, and we’re grateful for your dedication and sacrifice, both in the courtroom and in uniform.

Wishing you continued success in all your future endeavors!

10/16/2026

Today, our office celebrated Boss's Day with a catered lunch from Pizza Hotline La Plata, MD and had the opportunity to show our appreciation for our State's Attorney, Deputy State's Attorney,
Assistant State's Attorneys, and Chief Investigator who work tirelessly to serve our community.

From the pursuit of justice to the long hours spent preparing cases and advocating for victims, their dedication plays an important role in helping keep Charles County safe. We are grateful for their hard work, leadership, and commitment to justice throughout the year!