Anthony Ramon Mendez, 20, of Oxon Hill, is scheduled to appear in Charles County District Court on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2 at the La Plata courthouse. The hearing was postponed from Oct. 14, according to Southern Maryland News Net.
Charges and allegations
Mendez faces two misdemeanor counts of second-degree assault, stemming from a Sept. 6 incident at Chapel Point State Park in Port Tobacco. The Charles County Sheriff's Office responded at about 7:50 p.m. to a reported domestic assault, the outlet reported. Investigators said the woman, who was dating Mendez and living with him, alleged he pushed her and grabbed her by the neck. A family friend who intervened said Mendez also assaulted him and bit him on the chest, causing a visible injury. These are allegations reported by the outlet, not findings of guilt.
Mendez appeared before a district court commissioner on Sept. 7, represented remotely by court-appointed attorney Margaret Uy. He was released on his own recognizance, with conditions that he avoid criminal activity, attend scheduled court proceedings and have no contact with either alleged victim without their consent, according to Southern Maryland News Net. The Charles County Public Defender's Office entered an appearance on Sept. 14; the defense filed a speedy-trial request and sought access to the prosecution's evidence that day, the outlet reported.
Potential penalty
Maryland law sets a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both for second-degree assault, according to the Maryland General Assembly.
