Prisoner Pleads Guilty In Assault Of Correctional Officer: Prosecutor

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A 37-year-old Elkton man has pleaded guilty in connection to an attack carried out against Harford County Corporal Michael Vesek that happened Nov. 20, 2022, at the Harford County Detention Cent.er

Matthew Dwight Tingler entered his plea Wednesday for one count of attempted first-degree murder. Vesek, a correctional deputy at the detention center, was supervising Tingler while he made a phone call in the center's counseling office. During the call Tingler became enraged and used the telephone receiver to hit Vesek in the face. Tingler fought Vesek to the floor and once on the ground, Tingler manually strangled Vesek and wrapped the phone cord around Vesek’s neck multiple times, using the cord to continue strangling him, prosecutors disclosed.

Tingler then continuously hit Vesek in the face with the phone receiver, a tape dispenser and a portable radio that Tingler removed from the desk during the attack. Vesek lost consciousness as a result of Tingler’s assault. Other correctional deputies heard Vesek yelling for help and responded, only to find Tingler continuing to attack Vesek who was motionless, semi-conscious and bleeding profusely, according to court documents.

Deputies immediately rendered assistance to Vesek, unwrapping the cord that was tightly wound around his neck. Vesek was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview for treatment. In an interview following the incident, Tingler stated that he became upset while on the phone because he believed his fiancé was with another man, prosecutors stated.

The guilty plea includes an agreement that the state will recommend the maximum sentence of life in prison and the defense may not argue for anything less than 30 years of incarceration. Sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 10 following the completion of a pre-sentencing investigation report and a psychological evaluation.

“I commend Corporal Vesek for his bravery in both enduring this brutal attack and for his willingness to testify in this trial, which he was fully prepared to do in the coming days, as we were scheduled to select the jury for trial today. I also thank him for his nearly 25 years of service to Harford County as a correctional deputy," Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey said.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler shared on Facebook that he sat in the courtroom along with members of his command staff and Vesek, and described the incident as "horrific."

"While, I cannot begin to imagine a punishment severe enough, I am immensely appreciative of the efforts put forth by the Office of the State’s Attorney to ensure an appropriate punishment and penalty was handed down. A clear message was sent that we will not accept violence perpetrated against our deputies. In Harford County, law enforcement will work hand-in-hand with the judicial system to ensure offenders are held accountable. I continue to be thankful for the deputies who rushed in to save Cpl. Vesek’s life and for the job everyone at the HCSO does everyday to keep our community safe," Gahler said.