Brandy Lynn Deluca, 43, of Waldorf, William Gary Edwards, 18, and Ijazz Butler, 25, both of St. Leonard
UPDATE: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, April 29, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Ijaaz Butler, 26, to 12 years in prison for Home Invasion and Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion. The sentence imposed today in Charles County Circuit Court will run consecutive to a 12-year sentence previously imposed for a similar crime in Calvert County, for a total of 24 years in prison.
On March 19, 2018, officers responded to the 2800 block of Homette Place in Waldorf for the report of a home invasion. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victim Melissa Lewis, who had visible injuries. Lewis stated that two male suspects forced entry into her home, assaulted her, and demanded money.
A further investigation revealed that Lewis received a large sum of money prior to the home invasion. On the day of the incident, the victim was asleep on a couch in her home when Butler and the other male suspect, who the victim later identified as co-defendant William Gary Edwards, entered with their faces partially covered. Butler and Edwards physically assaulted the victim and asked her where the money was located; however, the victim refused to reveal where it was. The victim’s three young children were also present inside of the residence. While ransacking the home, Butler banged on the door of the children’s rooms while the victim was being held down by Edwards.
After a few minutes inside the residence, Butler and Edwards dragged the victim outside to search her vehicle. While outside, they assaulted the victim – to include dousing her with gasoline – until she was unconscious. Butler and Edwards then fled in a getaway vehicle operated by co-defendant Brandy Lynn Deluca.
Shortly after leaving, Deluca hit a mailbox and was stopped by an officer for a traffic violation. It was discovered during the stop that the occupants of the vehicle were involved in the home invasion. All three suspects, including Butler, were subsequently apprehended.
During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse, asking for the maximum consecutive sentence, told the judge that he hopes the victim “can feel safe again in her own home with her kids” after the terrifying incident.
On Wednesday, January 30, 2019, co-defendant Brandy Deluca was sentenced by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West to 7 years in prison.
On Thursday, February 21, 2019, co-defendant William Gary Edwards was also sentenced by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West to 10 years in prison, consecutive to a 2-year sentence previously imposed for a similar crime in Calvert County, for a total of 12 years in prison.
The vehicle was occupied by three subjects, the driver was identified as Brandy Lynn Deluca, 43, of Waldorf, the passengers were identified as William Gary Edwards, 18, and Ijazz Butler, 25, both of St. Leonard
While police were speaking with the occupants of the vehicle they could smell a strong odor of gasoline emitting from the cabin of the vehicle. While obtaining the occupants information police heard a call go out for a burglary in progress on Homette Place, in Waldorf.
Police heard as the call taker advised that the victim of the burglary reported that two males had broken into her residence and stolen “stuff”. Due to observing that the vehicle had been driving erratically, there were two males in the vehicle, and knowing the location of the burglary was on a street just a short distance away (approximately 1,000 feet) through a wooded area, police suspected that the vehicle and its occupants were involved in the burglary.
A short time later, police were advised that William Edwards was named as one of the suspects in the burglary. Edwards, Butler, and Deluca were placed into custody and read their Miranda Rights. Edwards and Deluca agreed to answer questions, but both denied any involvement in the burglary. After being read his Miranda Rights, Butler invoked his right to remain silent.
Police responded to Homette Place and made contact with the 29-year-old female victim in front of her residence. Officers observed the victim had swelling to her left eye socket and lips. Her lips were lacerated and had blood on them. The victim was covered in what was suspected to be gasoline and had a strong gasoline odor on her. The victim was extremely distraught. She was obviously afraid and worried for her safety.
Ijazz Butler, 25, of St. Leonard
Police obtained the following statement from the victim: She advised she recently gained $5000.00 from her ex-boyfriends grandfather. She advised the grandfather won a lottery ticket and she cashed it for him. She stated the grandfather gave her $5000,00 for cashing it for him. Tonight just prior to calling police the victim was asleep on her love seat couch in the living room of her residence. She advised her children were also in the residence in their rooms. While she was asleep she heard and saw her front door get broken open. She advised two male suspects entered her residence both wearing masks. The Black male began spraying her with what she described as gasoline and the subjects advised they would kill her, placing her in fear for her life. She stated the black male also had a crowbar. She advised the suspects began striking her in the face and repeatedly asking “where is the money?” She advised the black male grabbed her wrist and began walking her around her residence asking repeatedly asking her where the money was. She advised the suspects were in her house for approximately 10 minutes. She advised she was walked out to her car, where they made her open it. The victim advised she was shoved to the ground and the suspects began striking her again while she was lying on the ground, when asked how they struck her she just kept saying “I don’t know they just kept hitting me.” The victim advised she was knocked out and woke up next to her car in front of her residence. The victim ran over to a neighbor’s residence, and they called 911.
William Gary Edwards, 18, of St. Leonard
Police observed that the door frame was damaged and one of the latches was completely off the frame. There was also a dent on the door near the latch with a black scuff. The interior of the residence had an odor of gasoline throughout it.
The victim was taken to the scene of the traffic stop with Edwards, Butler, and Deluca, and she positively identified Edwards as being one of the subjects that had broken into her residence that morning. The victim advised she recognized Deluca and advised she observed her vehicle in the area of her residence a few hours before the incident. The vehicle was seen driving down the street with its lights off.
Through the course of the investigation it is believed that Edwards and Butler entered the victim’s residence in an attempt to steal the $5,888 she had at her residence. After the failed attempt by Edward and Butler to locate the money they fled the scene on Homette Place through the wooded area where they met up with Deluca on Council Oak Drive, who acted as the getaway driver.
Brandy Lynn Deluca, 43, of Waldorf
Brandy Lynn Deluca, 43, of Waldorf, William Gary Edwards, 18, and Ijazz Butler, 25, both of St. Leonard, were charged with the following.
- home invasion
- burglary, first degree
- assault, first degree
- assault, second degree
- armed robbery
- false imprisonment
- destruction of property, less than $1,000
- rogue and vagabond
- burglary, 4th degree/tools
Brandy Lynn Deluca, 43, of Waldorf
William Gary Edwards, 18, of St. Leonard
Ijazz Butler, 25, of St. Leonard
