La Plata, MD – Heather Nicole McDonald, 27 of La Plata, once the subject of a Fugitive Friday search by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 2014, was facing the fire Tuesday, March 28 before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West.
The defendant was charged Aug. 12, 2013 with armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault among other charges.
She entered into a plea agreement with the state in January 2015 but for a period of time was the subject of a search by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office after she failed to appear in court on a burglary charge and a non-support violation. In addition, she was facing warrants for theft, destruction of property and fraud.
Charles County Assistant States Attorney Tiffany Campbell said McDonald had completed a program at Walden-Sierra, but had failed to report to her agent afterward.
“The state is asking your honor to revoke her bond and accelerate her sentencing date,” Campbell told the court. “The judge had wanted her to report to her agent and she did not do that.”
She added that McDonald had gotten angry with her counselors at one point.
Defense Attorney Hammad S. Matin told the judge that even though his client had issues while undergoing the 14-day program at Walden, “she didn’t get kicked out. She completed it.
“This is not a woman who is committing more crimes,” Matin said. “There has been no drug possession. If you were to test her today, she would be clean.”
“Can we do that today?” West asked.
“Absolutely judge,” Matin answered.
“Then let’s cut to the chase,” the judge said. “I don’t think we can find her in violation of her probation. There may be something going on, but Mr. Matin makes a good point.”
West denied the state’s motion, allowing the defendant to remain free on bond and pushed out sentencing until April 10.
“If you show up April 10 with a negative result, we’ll see where we go from there,” the judge said. “You have a lot of people standing up and pulling for you,” he told McDonald, “but when you have a history, that’s a problem.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com