Miss Maryland Stalked In Person, On Social Media: Police

GERMANTOWN, MD — A Montgomery County man who repeatedly contacted a woman crowned as the current Miss Maryland -- both through social media and at a personal appearance -- has been charged with harassment, authorities say.

Valencio Fernandes Pires, 51, of Germantown was arrested at his home without incident on Aug. 19 by Maryland State Police. He is charged with harassment, stalking, & electronic mail harassment. He is currently being held without bond at the Carroll County Detention Center.

The victim is identified as Hannah Brewer, 19, of Carroll County. She currently holds the title of Miss Maryland.

On Aug. 19, Brewer filed a report with the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack. She said she had been receiving frightening and unwanted contact from Pires.

Police believe Pires first contacted Brewer in person at a planned Miss Maryland event in Hagerstown on Aug. 15. Pires can be seen in two photographs at the Hagerstown event, intently and intensely staring at Brewer, officials say. Pires had also used social media and emails to attempt communication with Brewer multiple times, even after requests were made for him to stop.

State police investigators and the Brewer family consulted with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office. A peace order and an ex parte of communication order were granted by the Carroll County Commissioner’s Office. An arrest warrant was also issued for Pires' arrest.

Brewer has no comment on the matter and is instead focused on preparing for the upcoming Miss America competition police said. The national pageant starts Sept. 6 in Atlantic City, NJ, with the final night broadcast live on ABC on Sept. 11.

»Screenshot of Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer from YouTube video of pageant