Hit-and-run kills motorcyclist, closes roads at rush hour
A hit-and-run crash in Burtonsville left a motorcyclist dead andsouthbound U.S. Route 29 closed to traffic during rush hour Thursday evening, according to Montgomery County police officials.
Police spokeswoman Blanca Kling said the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 29 (Columbia Pike) and Cherry Hill Road in Burtonsville. Kling said the driver who struck the motorcyclist fled the scene, and police have no suspects in the incident.
Motorists were forced to find alternate routes home as southbound U.S. 29 and travel in both directions on Cherry Hill Road between Prosperity Drive and Calverton Boulevard were closed to traffic, Kling said. – Kathleen Miller
Ex-officer found guilty of child porn charges
A federal jury convicted a former sergeant with the U.S. Capitol police on child pornography charges Thursday, according to the U.S. district attorney for Maryland. Michael Malloy was found guilty of enticing a female under the age of 16 to have sex with him while he made a videotape, authorities said. Malloy faces 15 to 30 years in prison followed by supervised release for life, and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10. – Courtney Mabeus
Grand jury indicts officer on charges of violence
A federal grand jury indicted a D.C. police officer, charging him with using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime and violating the civil rights of an individual, prosecutors said Thursday.
According to the indictment, Jerome Merrill used unreasonable force with a firearm, striking Wayne Morris with a gun while making an arrest at the Seaton Market on the 1800 block of North Capitol Street in Northwest Washington on Feb. 11, 2005.
Merrill, 31, faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. An arraignment date has not been scheduled. – Scott McCabe
