Jalen Rasard Cephus, 32, of Hyattsville (department photo)
Andrew Leron Green, 28, of Waldorf, faces two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault. Jalen Rasard Cephus, 32, of Hyattsville, faces one count each of first-degree assault and second-degree assault following a July 20, 2026, altercation at a home in Waldorf.
The charges followed a July 20, 2026, altercation at a home in Waldorf involving Green, Cephus and an adult male victim who lived at the residence with Green.
Officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 12:26 a.m. after receiving a report of an assault involving a knife.
Investigators said the incident followed an earlier argument between Green and the adult male victim, who was Green’s romantic partner. The victim told police that Green left the residence, leading him to ask Cephus for help because he was concerned about Green’s welfare.
Green told investigators that he had fallen asleep outside and did not know the two men had been searching for him. After realizing they were looking for him, he arranged for them to pick him up near the Plaza Way shopping center.
According to Green, an argument began between him and Cephus during the drive back to Briarwood Drive. Green said he did not know Cephus before that night and knew him only as a friend of his partner.
Green alleged that after they returned to the home, he was lying on a bed when Cephus entered the room, put a hand around his neck and began choking him. Green said he “could not breathe” but did not lose consciousness. He also alleged that Cephus struck him in the face with a closed fist.
Green told investigators that he later picked up a knife from a dresser to create distance between himself and Cephus. He said the confrontation ended after the men separated.
Cephus, who is a sergeant with the Forest Heights Police Department gave investigators a different account. He said he and his friend searched for Green for approximately two hours before finding him near the shopping center. Cephus said an argument began in the vehicle because he was upset about having to help search for Green.
Cephus told investigators the men were “chilling” at the residence when Green pulled out a knife, pointed it at him and began waving it. He also alleged that Green cut the walls with the knife. Cephus said he called 911 because he was “in fear for his life.”
The adult male victim initially told investigators that Green was acting belligerently when the men found him. He said Green and Cephus argued in the vehicle before separating after returning to the residence.
The victim initially did not report seeing Cephus assault Green. He told investigators that Green grabbed a knife and swung it toward Cephus. The victim said he stepped between the two men to break up the fight and feared for his own safety because Green would not put down the knife.
Investigators said the victim later changed part of his account after Green and Cephus were arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. He then told another officer that he had seen Cephus choke and punch Green before Green grabbed the knife.
Green was charged with first- and second-degree assault involving Cephus and with first- and second-degree assault involving the adult male victim. Cephus was charged with first- and second-degree assault involving Green.
During their initial appearances, Cephus reported that he worked full time as a sergeant with the Forest Heights Police Department and had held the position for five years. Green reported that he was unemployed and had no income.
Police said alcohol appeared to have been a factor in the confrontation. Both men were arrested and transported to the detention center.
A commissioner initially ordered Green and Cephus held without bond, finding that each could pose a danger to an alleged victim or the community. Green was ordered not to contact or harass Cephus, while Cephus was ordered not to contact or harass Green.
Following bail reviews on July 21, 2026, both men were released on their own recognizance. Each was ordered to appear for future proceedings, avoid criminal activity and comply with the no-contact conditions.
Green requested a preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for August 19, 2026. Cephus waived his preliminary hearing. The Charles County Public Defender’s Office entered appearances for both men.
Booking photos for Green and Cephus have been requested but had not been received as of publication. They will be added to this article when they become available.
