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Antonio Planas

Antonio

Antonio “Tony” Planas is an express reporter for The Banner’s Montgomery County team. His focus is on law enforcement and immigration issues. He previously worked on the breaking news desk at NBC News, where he juggled writing about the nation’s biggest stories of the day. Tony’s career has focused on shining a spotlight on underserved communities, including leading a team of reporters in Boston who unearthed the city’s more than 300 unsolved homicides spanning a decade and the sizeable disparity in police arrest rates for Black victims compared to white victims. Tony is a Michigan State alumnus who enjoys watching his beloved Spartans compete on the gridiron and basketball court.

The latest from Antonio Planas

Damascus man threatens to burn house down, barricades himself for hours
A Damascus man was in jail Tuesday following an hourslong standoff during which he threatened to burn a house down, Montgomery County police said.
A Baltimore County police vehicle’s lights flash while parked outside of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Alleged kidnapping of Kentucky teen a ‘huge misunderstanding,’ suspect says
A Silver Spring man accused of kidnappng a Kentucky teen called the allegation a misunderstanding in Montgomery County District Court on Monday.
Christian Delgado's Silver Spring home, where police and U.S. marshals found a missing girl.
Police release identity of pedestrian killed in downtown Silver Spring crash
The pedestrian killed on Friday in a downtwon Silver Spring crash was identified by Montgomery Police as Theresa "Terri" Winona Nagle.
$230K donation will help students with meal debt in Montgomery County schools
A $230,000 donation will help reduce meal debt for eligible students in Montgomery County Public Schools.
A $230,000 donation to Montgomery County Public Schools will help eliminate two years of meal debt for families eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program.
Dietitians say enjoy holiday foods, but be disciplined and strategic to avoid weight gain
Dietitians and health experts share tactics to reduce calorie intake and prevent weight gain during the holidays.
Former Derwood church teacher sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing minors
Ervin Alfaro-Lopez, 34, of Germantown, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday for sexually abusing his underage students. He is required to register as a sex offender for life.
Ervin Alfaro-Lopez was sentenced to 55 years in prison, with all but 20 years of that sentence suspended, for sexually abusing minors.
Dominique Dawes’ father-in-law found dead in Virginia
The father-in-law of Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes was found dead in Virginia on Saturday, days after he was reported missing, authorities said.
We know at least this many Montgomery County students have been deported
The students include some who were deported and some who left the country because their parents were deported, according to Maryland's largest immigrant advocacy group.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle is parked outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Broadview, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Bicyclist dies after SUV strikes him in Cloverly
A man riding a bike in Cloverly died on Thursday after colliding with an SUV, according to Montgomery County Police.
West Virginia man found guilty in 2018 double murder in Burtonsville
Gregory Jones, 32, of West Virginia, was found guilty of the 2018 double murder of Joshua Frazier and Ashley Dickinson.
A man was found guilty of the 2018 double murder of Ashley Dickinson, left, and Joshua Frazier.
Driver in Cloverly fatal traffic collision identified as Silver Spring man
Police identified Tyrone Alexander Chappell Jr., 41, of Silver Spring, as the driver who on Friday went into cardiac arrest and was involved in a two-vehicle crash in Cloverly.
A Baltimore County police vehicle’s lights flash while parked outside of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Driver involved in 2-vehicle crash in Cloverly died after cardiac arrest
A driver who went into cardiac arrest died following a two-vehicle crash in Cloverly, Montgomery County Police said. Two other people, including a 4-year-old child, were injured.
Maryland’s leading immigrant advocacy group gets a new leader who wants to transition from fear to action
George Escobar takes the helm of CASA as the federal government detains and deports undocumented immigrants nationwide.
CASA incoming executive director George Escobar speaks during a press conference to introduce a new county bill, the Montgomery County Trust Act, that councilmembers say will protect the community against ICE. The press conference was held with the immigrant advocacy group CASA in Rockville, MD.
California man charged in rape of woman in Gaithersburg
A California man faces multiples rape charges linked to a sexual assault last year in Gaithersburg, according to Montgomery County Police.
A Baltimore County police vehicle’s lights flash while parked outside of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Blow past a Takoma Park stop sign? AI could catch you.
Takoma Park will begin ticketing drivers who speed past stop signs in school zones next month in a four-year pilot program that utilizes artificial intelligence.
Close-up of a stop sign surrounded by swirling points of light.
Many film and heckle ICE. Here are their rights — and limitations.
Many of Montgomery County's immigrants live in fear of ICE. Many county residents want to support them, but may not know their own legal rights when they protest or videotape arrests.
Councilmember Kristin Mink posted a video to social media on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, showing an interaction she had with men she identified as ICE agents.
Northwood High School student charged with gun possession
A student at Northwood High School in Rockville was arrested and charged with gun possession. An altercation between students prompted a school lockdown.
A Baltimore County police vehicle’s lights flash while parked outside of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Officials introduce bill they hope will stifle ICE in Montgomery County
The Trust Act will codify a 2019 executive order from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich that will restrict immigration enforcement officers’ access to county facilities without a judicial warrant.
CASA incoming executive director George Escobar speaks during a press conference to introduce a new county bill, the Montgomery County Trust Act, that councilmembers say will protect the community against ICE. The press conference was held with the immigrant advocacy group CASA in Rockville, MD.
Montgomery County sheriff loses key endorsements in reelection bid
Montgomery County Sheriff Maxwell Uy has lost key endorsements in his reelection bid, including that of county State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
Maxwell Uy, who became Montgomery County’s first Asian American sheriff in 2022, poses for a portrait in his Rockville, Md., office on Friday, September 12, 2025. Uy is seeking reelection amid staffing shortages and department turnover. His challenger, Will Milam, argues the agency has become a “toxic environment” under Uy’s leadership.
Germantown man charged in car crash that killed 88-year-old woman
A Germantown man is facing multiple felonies linked to the May 31 car crash that led to the death of 88-year-old Myrtle Gottlieb, according to Montgomery County Police.
A Baltimore County police vehicle’s lights flash while parked outside of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
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