Two Ocean City Boardwalk stabbing suspects sentenced

Two individuals involved in a stabbing incident on the Ocean City Boardwalk in June have been sentenced, according to court documents.

Marquis Trajon Demby, 22, of Delaware, and Davione K. Cephas, 20, of Cambridge, both pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Cephas had all but six years suspended, according to documents, and will be placed on supervised probation for three years once released.  

The other individuals arrested following the incident were Marcus Dashawn Butler, 27 of Cambridge, Orlando Manship Nicholas Jr., 20 of Cambridge and Xavier Jamal Spence, 19 of Cambridge.

All five were charged with first- and second-degree assault as well as reckless endangerment. Spence received an extra charge of dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

The other suspects are still awaiting adjudication in their cases. 

The arrests came following two assaults on June 9 that took place on 11th and 15th streets in Ocean City. The victim in the 15th Street incident was stabbed in the back. Ocean City police used cameras on the Boardwalk to identify the suspects.

READ MORE: Ocean City police arrest five in connection to Boardwalk stabbing

MORE: Ocean City Boardwalk violence brings unease to visitors, businesses

The knife involved in the stabbing at 15th Street was recovered when Demby was apprehended. Officers determined through investigation the same group was involved in both assaults.  

The incidents highlighted a summer month in Ocean City that mayor Rick Meehan called “June on Steroids,” which showcased multiple violent acts at the Boardwalk.

A Delmarva Now analysis of online case records indicated members of the Ocean City Police Department filed charges in criminal cases against at least 103 people, and 96 of those cases had an offense date listed from June 11 to June 15.

Those 96 cases included 57 incidents involving at least one count of disorderly conduct, assault or affray, and 40 of those 57 occurred either June 12 or June 13.

One incident included a person getting knocked to the ground, dragged by one of his legs, then hit with multiple punches, while another person wielded a long metal pole. Others moved around them, occasionally throwing a punch as well.

The period of unrest left visitors and businesses uneased, worrying about the possibility of other assaults or incidents. The violent acts prompted an increase in police presence.

Reporters Rose Velazquez and Matthew Prensky contributed to this article