In Charles County Circuit Court on Friday, Judge H. James West sentenced 42-year-old Damion Anqwan Wilson of La Plata, Maryland, to 20 years in prison for First-Degree Assault, Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction, and Possession of Cocaine. Wilson previously pleaded guilty to these charges in August 2024.
The charges stem from an incident on January 17, 2024, when officers were called to the Dash In convenience store on the 600 block of Charles Street in La Plata. The victim, who did not know Wilson, flagged down officers after Wilson allegedly threatened him with a firearm before leaving the scene. The victim provided a description of Wilson to police, who then located him near the gas station.
Wilson attempted to flee, prompting officers to pursue him on foot. During the chase, Wilson reportedly dropped his firearm but continued to evade arrest. After a brief struggle, officers successfully apprehended Wilson.
Wilson’s criminal history played a significant role in the sentencing. In September 2022, he was released on parole after serving time for the 2000 second-degree murder of Gayle A. Cooke. Cooke, who had been employed as a Victim Witness Coordinator for the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office, was shot and killed by Wilson during a domestic dispute involving Cooke’s daughter.
Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse, addressing the court, emphasized the severity of Wilson’s actions and prior offenses. “I’ve been doing this job for a very long time; there are some cases that pop up and are very concerning. This is one of those cases,” Stackhouse stated, noting that Wilson had failed to take accountability for his prior crime. Stackhouse argued for an above-guideline sentence to protect the community, highlighting Wilson’s recent parole status and the seriousness of the new charges.
Judge West, in delivering the sentence, reflected on Wilson’s criminal history and his repeated dangerous behavior. He described the case as a “level of poor decision-making in spite of a past record,” expressing concern over Wilson’s pattern of violent offenses.
Sentencing Breakdown:
- First-Degree Assault: 15 years
- Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction: 5 years, consecutive to the assault sentence
- Possession of Cocaine: 1 year, to run concurrently with the assault sentence
This sentencing highlights Charles County’s stance on repeat offenders with violent backgrounds, particularly those who continue to engage in criminal activity after parole.
