Brandon Alexander Turner, 23, of Greenbelt, was sentenced on October 11, 2024, to life imprisonment, with 40 years of active time, for the attempted first-degree murder of Calvert County Master Deputy Sheriff James Flynt. The sentencing, delivered by the Honorable Judge Andrew S. Rappaport, followed Turner’s conviction in June 2024 on 16 separate offenses related to a December 2022 incident.
The events leading to Turner’s sentencing began on the evening of December 17, 2022, when he led deputies on a high-speed chase along MD Route 4. According to court testimony, the chase lasted nearly 10 miles, during which Turner produced a handgun and fired multiple shots at the pursuing deputies. The pursuit came to an end near the Walnut Creek subdivision in Huntingtown after Deputy Flynt executed a precision immobilization technique (PIT), causing Turner’s vehicle to crash.
As Turner exited the vehicle, he fired at Deputy Flynt, hitting him in the leg and severing a critical artery. According to prosecutors, Deputy Flynt’s life was saved only through “extraordinary medical intervention.” Had the response been any slower, Deputy Flynt could have lost his life on the scene.
The subsequent trial saw Turner convicted of 16 offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault charges against two other deputies, Deputy Anthony Aranda and Deputy Tyler Bowen. In addition to the life sentence for the attempted murder of Deputy Flynt, Turner received consecutive sentences for the assaults on Deputies Aranda and Bowen, bringing his total active period of incarceration to 66 years.
The case underscored the risks that law enforcement officers face daily. Deputy Flynt, who has since recovered, continues to serve the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Aranda and Deputy Bowen, though not physically injured during the incident, were also recognized for their bravery during the high-stakes pursuit.
This case highlights the dangers of high-speed pursuits and the extreme measures some individuals may take to avoid capture. In this instance, Turner’s actions escalated a traffic stop into a life-threatening confrontation, resulting in severe consequences not only for himself but for the law enforcement officers involved.
Turner’s legal counsel has not indicated whether they plan to appeal the sentence. However, with a 66-year active sentence, Turner is unlikely to be eligible for parole for several decades, if ever.
This case was a significant one for the Calvert County judicial system, reflecting its commitment to holding individuals accountable for violent actions against law enforcement officers.
