Ex-church deacon arrested in molestation case
A 48-year-old former church deacon was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexually molesting a boy who had been a member of his church, according to city police. Curtis Allen, 48, of the 5200 block of Cuthbert Ave. faces 13 charges of sexual abuse of a minor, rape and sexual assault. Allen is a former deacon at Beth-El Temple Church of Christ, in the 3900 block of W. Rogers Ave. Police began investigating the case after the 16-year-old contacted the department last year, a spokesman for the department said. The boy, who was between 13 and 14 years old at the time he said he was molested, told police he was violated three times, usually between the morning and evening services, police said. Allen has no criminal history and is being held at Central Booking and Intake Center on $250,000 bail.
- Brent Jones
Harris killing suspect drops juvenile court request
A lawyer for one of the three young men accused in the killing of former Baltimore Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. withdrew his request Friday to have his client's case transferred to juvenile court. Jerome Williams, 16, of the 1500 block of Lochwood Road is accused of being the masked robber who confronted and shot Harris Sept. 20 outside a jazz club in the Northwood Plaza shopping center. His trial is scheduled for Aug. 24.
- Melissa Harris
Officials seize cell phones, knives at detention center
Corrections officials say information on one cell phone led to the seizure of knives, more cell phones, tobacco and lighters this week at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Authorities say a random search led to the first cell phone, and information taken from it led officers to search a housing area. Internal investigative unit detectives are handling the case.
- Associated Press
Feral cat survives being shot with a target arrow
Humane Society officials in Wicomico County say someone intentionally shot a feral cat with an arrow. Officials say the target arrow just missed the cat's vital organs and the cat was injured days before it was found in a shed off Nanticoke Road in Salisbury on Wednesday. Linda Lugo, the executive director of the Wicomico County Humane Society, says based on the wound, they believe someone shot the cat on purpose. The cat will stay at the Humane Society's surgery unit for at least 10 days. They will work to make her more tame, in hopes that they can eventually make her available for adoption.
