On May 7, 2019, a Worcester County jury found Monqual Sturgis, age 41, of Berlin, Maryland, guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced by the Honorable Richard R. Bloxom, retired judge of the Worcester County Circuit Court, to serve 12 years in the Division of Correction, with all but 5 years suspended. He is to be on supervised probation upon his release from prison.
The charges stem from an investigation in May of 2018 by the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, which resulted in a search warrant being executed on Sturgis’ residence in Berlin. During the search, detectives located 3 baggies containing powder and crack cocaine in Sturgis’ bedroom, along with over $1,000 in US currency. The powder cocaine weighed nearly 12 grams, and the crack cocaine weighed over 8 grams. Police estimate the street value of the seized cocaine at approximately $2,000.
Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser applauded the efforts of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, a combined investigative unit comprised of the Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Pocomoke City Police Department and Ocean City Police Department. She also thanked Dfc. Rhode for his work on the case, and praised Assistant State’s Attorney Joaquin Cabrera, who tried the case.