State Investigating Police Chief and Contractor
Updated: 6 days ago
Police Chief Bribed with Used Car
The Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office is investigating John E. O’Connor and former District Heights Police Chief Ronald Tarpley for alleged fraud and bribery offenses. Sources say Tarpley outsourced the police department’s grant management to his longtime friend O’Connor in 2023, an arrangement that abruptly ended in July 2025 when municipal employees discovered invoices with falsified business names and charges for equipment and services that were never delivered.
Tarpley is accused of knowingly approving the fraudulent invoices in exchange for a used car purchased for him by O’Connor. The pair also allegedly lied on grant applications and reimbursement requests submitted to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. Tarpley is separately accused of stealing $100,000 from the City of District Heights with help from another friend.
Tarpley was initially suspended by city officials but terminated months later following his arrest for drunk driving. According to sources, state investigators executed search warrants seeking records tied to O’Connor, Tarpley, and several businesses linked to them. O'Connor's businesses include the Bell Firm, Blueline Training, Municipal Grant Services, the Chesapeake Today blog, and Legion Rifles in Leonardtown, Maryland.
O'Connor served two terms on the St. Mary's County Commission before unsuccessfully campaigning for Sheriff in 2022. O'Connor hopes to reclaim his commission seat in this year's general election.
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