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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A student at Northwood High School in Rockville was arrested and charged with gun possession. An altercation between students prompted a school lockdown.
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.
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.