PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A Prince George's County felon, 22-year-old Jeremiah Peter Watson, is facing a federal charge after he fired a weapon at security guards at a U.S. Secret Service Facility in Beltsville.
According to officials and the affidavit filed, on the evening of February 25, a sedan pulled up to the gated entry of the Secret Service facility within the National Agricultural Research Center, which is federal property.
Officials say the driver got out of the car and approached security in an aggressive manner. This is when another officer arrived to assist and despite being given commands to stop, the driver continued to approach and the security officer deployed pepper spray.
The affidavit says the driver then returned to his vehicle and drove away.
An additional officer and secret service office arrived to assist and called the Park Police. The driver then made a u-turn and began to fire a handgun at the victims. The driver made another U-turn and continued to fire at the victims through the passenger window of his car. A subsequent search of the scene recovered three .9mm shell casings.
The affidavit alleges that Watson was identified as the registered owner of the vehicle and one of the victims identified a photo of Watson as the person who had shot at the victims. Watson’s vehicle was located where he has been residing.
If convicted, Watson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
