Biting Police, Fleeing Crash Prompts Prison Sentence For Annapolis Man: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Officials announced Monday that an Annapolis man will spend 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of assaulting police officers, fleeing the scene of a wreck and committing several drug crimes. The sentenced man had five extra years of his jail time suspended, or dropped, but he would have to serve that additional time if he violates probation.

Authorities identified the man as Brandon Hardy, 26. Prosecutors said a jury on July 7 found Hardy guilty of 13 charges, including two counts of second-degree assault against police officers and a litany of felony drug charges for possession with intent to distribute.

"With this sentence, the defendant will be spending many years in prison and will no longer be a danger to law enforcement officers or our community," Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a press release.

The encounter happened on Sept. 3, 2021 after a hit-and-run car crash in northern Anne Arundel County. Officials said Hardy ran a red light in his silver Honda Civic and hit a grey Ford Mustang and a black Kia SUV that were turning left from the Maryland Route 10 off-ramp onto Mountain Road. Nobody was hurt, but there were children inside at least one of the victims' cars.

Witnesses told police that Hardy briefly returned to his sedan to collect some items before running away. Authorities said his passenger stayed on the scene, gave Hardy's name to responding officers and told them that he took her phone.

A relative of the passenger came to the scene and used a mobile application to track the stolen phone. The app reported that the phone was at a nearby fast food restaurant, prosecutors said.

The release said police went to the restaurant and found Hardy, but he refused to identify himself. Officers brought a crash witness to the eatery, and they identified the man as the driver from the hit-and-run.

Officials said Hardy tried to run away after police arrested and handcuffed him. Officers quickly caught Hardy, and he became uncooperative.

It took several officers to place Hardy in the police car to take him in for booking. Authorities said Hardy then bit an officer's leg and tried to bite another's arm during the struggle. Neither officer was seriously hurt, and neither needed medical treatment.

Police also saw Hardy clutching a large amount of drugs, which they pried out of his hands. Prosecutors said the substances were later tested and found to be about 29 grams of fentanyl and more than 40 grams of cocaine. Hardy additionally had a digital scale and more than $400 in cash.

Law enforcement later searched Hardy's car and found about 15 grams of marijuana and 30 Suboxone strips, the release said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Marot Williamson prosecuted this case, and Judge William Mulford presided over it.