Documentation and Evidence Related to the Criminal Case Against Karl Houston Walls (Anne Arundel County Police Department)
| Multi Request | Documentation and Evidence Related to the Criminal Case Against Karl Houston Walls |
| Submitted | July 7, 2023 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Concerned Citizen
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
I am writing under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to request access to and copies of all records and documents pertaining to the ongoing criminal case against Karl Houston Walls, a former teacher at Northeast High School in Pasadena, Anne Arundel County.
Mr. Walls has been charged with numerous criminal offenses, including but not limited to second-degree rape, cause to ingest bodily fluids, perverted practice, sexual solicitation of a minor, sex abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sex offense of a person of authority (4 counts), second-degree assault (three counts), dangerous weapon with intent to injure, fourth-degree sex offense by person of authority and second-degree assault.
The records sought include, but are not limited to, police reports, witness statements, charges filed, arrest records, court transcripts, evidence such as body cam video or interrogation footage, text messages and photographs/videos allegedly sent by Mr. Walls to the victims, and any other pertinent documents related to this case.
In addition, we are interested in any records relating to off-school property incidents involving Mr. Walls, specifically an incident where he allegedly held a knife against one of the students.
The public has a significant interest in these records due to the gravity of the charges and the involvement of a person in a position of authority over minors in a school setting.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen
From: Anne Arundel County Police Department
This correspondence is in response to your request for public record(s).
Your request has been evaluated in accordance with the Maryland Public
Information Act, Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article §
4-101, et seq. (MPIA). Specifically, you have requested records of a matter
involving Karl Houston Walls.
Upon search, the records you seek are of cases 23-717507 and 23-717847. The
records responsive to your request pertain to a matter which is not yet
closed/adjudicated. As the matter is currently open, release of such
records at this time could interfere with a proper law enforcement
proceeding and prejudice an investigation. MPIA § 4-351(b)(1),(6); 71 Op.
Atty Gen. Md. 288 (1986). In accordance with the provisions cited, your
request for records is denied at this time. You may renew your request
after the matter is closed.
Pursuant to MPIA § 4-362, you are entitled to seek judicial review of this
response. You may also refer any concerns about this response to the Public
Access Ombudsman. If the Ombudsman is unable to resolve the matter, you may
subsequently seek a resolution from the Public Information Act Compliance
Board for those matters within the Compliance Board’s jurisdiction. See
MPIA §§ 4-1A-01 et seq. and MPIA §§ 4-1B-01 et seq.
Sincerely,
Christine Ryder
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Custodian of Records
From: Concerned Citizen
Hello,
The cases are now closed. Can you please fulfill the FOIA request?
From: Concerned Citizen
Hello,
The cases are now closed. Can you please fulfill the FOIA request?
From: Anne Arundel County Police Department
This correspondence is in response to your request for public record(s).
Your request has been/will be evaluated in accordance with the Maryland
Public Information Act, Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions
Article § 4-101, et seq. (MPIA). Specifically, you have requested records
of a matter involving Karl Houston Walls deemed police cases 23-717507 and
23-717847.
While the investigative matter is confirmed closed at this time, this
matter pertains to child abuse. All records related to child abuse or
neglect are confidential, and may only be disclosed under a Court Order.
See Maryland Annotated Code, Human Services General Provisions §1-202. Your
request for this record is therefore denied in accordance with MPIA §4-301.
To proceed with your request, you must obtain a court order. Once
presented, work will begin to complete the processing of the potentially
responsive records.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions/concerns about this
response. Pursuant to MPIA § 4-362, you are entitled to seek judicial
review of this response. You may also refer any concerns about this
response to the Public Access Ombudsman. If the Ombudsman is unable to
resolve the matter, you may subsequently seek a resolution from the Public
Information Act Compliance Board for those matters within the Compliance
Board’s jurisdiction. See MPIA §§ 4-1A-01 et seq. and MPIA §§ 4-1B-01 et
seq.
Sincerely,
Christine Ryder
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Custodian of Records