Deer Burning In Perry Hall: Decision Made For 2 Men

PERRY HALL, MD — Prosecutors recently dropped the criminal charges against two men who had been charged after a dead deer was found burned in Perry Hall.

The Baltimore County residents must complete 10 hours of community service. They were never convicted or sentenced. They do not have a criminal record, and they no longer face legal action.

After the deceased deer was found in late July, authorities charged Ethan Patrick Cummins, 18, of Rosedale, and Aiden Thomas Holman, 19, of Nottingham. Three undisclosed minors also faced charges, but prosecutors did not publicly announce their fate.

Cummins denied any wrongdoing.

"Ethan Cummins was not convicted of any crime, nor did he have to even render a plea to any crime related to the incident [that] took place involving the burning of a dead deer," his lawyer, Thomas Maronick Jr., told Patch in a Saturday email. "Ethan deeply regrets the situation (without having a direct role in it) and to anyone who may have been affected by it."

Online court records previously said Cummins and Holman were initially charged with reckless endangerment, removal of deer hide and possession of game animal. None of the charges were felonies.

The case files show that prosecutors dropped the only criminal charge, reckless endangerment, and placed the two Department of Natural Resources citations on the stet docket, meaning they are inactive. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger confirmed the news on Friday.

The court date for Cummins and Holman was on Sept. 16.

"Mr. Holman was not found guilty of any crimes, he did not plead guilty to any crimes, and he didn't receive any sentence from the Court," his attorney, Michael Hamburg, told Patch in a Monday email.

Maronick said Cummins will be eligible to expunge, or seal, his record three years after completing the community service.

"This is an excellent result and we are pleased the State was willing to work with us in putting together a result we could accept," Maronick said.

Tiffany Doxanas, who lives near where the deer was found, said the incident happened on the morning of July 24 on Bangert Avenue near the intersection with Forge Haven Drive. That's located in the Honeygo area.

"A baby deer was found with a rope tied around its neck and severe burn marks, left in the street," Doxanas previously told Patch in a statement. "Nearby, there was a glove, a charred piece of box, and a Wawa receipt for a buffalo chicken quesadilla, which adds to the suspicion surrounding this cruel act."

Doxanas said police increased patrols and investigated in the community after the deer was found.

"It appears the animal was already deceased before the incident occurred," Baltimore County Police Department spokesperson Detective Trae Corbin previously told Patch in an email.

Related:

• Perry Hall Deer Burning Suspect Denies Wrongdoing, Condemns 'Savage Social Media Attacks'
• Deer Set On Fire In Perry Hall Prompts Arrests: Prosecutors
• Baby Deer Found Burned, Tied With Rope In Perry Hall: Neighbor