Officers and deputies from the Montgomery County Police – Holiday Season Task Force were assaulted early Sunday morning after they responded to an underage drinking party in Damascus. The Holiday Season task force is comprised of Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies, Montgomery County police officers, and Maryland-National Capital Park police officers.

On Saturday, January 4 at approximately 11:50 p.m., officers and deputies responded to a party in the 9400 block of Damascus Road in Damascus. Officers discovered several underage persons in possession of alcohol in the backyard. Officers also observed a keg at the bottom of an outside stairwell leading to the basement door and approximately 35 persons consuming alcohol inside of the home who appeared to be under the age of 21. Officers then spoke to the residents of the home who denied them access to the home.

As officers began to seize the keg and additional alcohol at the bottom of the outside stairwell, a subject exited the basement and attempted to grab several cases of beer. A struggle ensued and one officer was pulled into the doorway as party-goers inside of the residence slammed the door on the officer’s arms. At one point, the door was pulled open and a second officer, who was assisting the first officer, was also assaulted by the homeowner. While taking these two suspects into custody, the officers and deputies were assaulted by two other residents of the home. As the assault continued, the noise level from inside the house rose with several individuals banging on the glass, yelling profanity, and videotaping the incident. Four residents of the home were arrested and charged with various offenses. In addition to those arrested, officers charged 22 party-goers with alcohol related offenses via civil citations.

The following four residents of the home were arrested and charged as described below:

George Magas, age 54, was charged with attempting to remove a firearm from the possession of a Deputy Sheriff; attempting to incite a riot; 3 counts of Second Degree Assault; Obstructing and Hindering a Police Officer; and 22 Counts of furnishing Alcohol to a minor.

Cathy Magas, age 46, Second Degree Assault; Obstructing and Hindering a Police Officer; 22 counts of Furnishing Alcohol to a minor.

Nicholas Magas, age 21, attempting to incite a riot; Obstructing and Hindering a Police Officer; 22 counts of furnishing Alcohol to a minor.

Eric Magas, age 18, Second Degree Assault; attempting to incite a riot; Obstructing and Hindering a Police Officer; 22 counts of Furnishing Alcohol to a minor; possession of Fake ID to obtain alcohol; possessing more than one drivers license at any one time; knowingly and fraudulently obtaining license by misrepresentation; 3 counts of possessing a fictitious license.

This year’s Holiday Season Task Force began the night before Thanksgiving and Task Force operations concluded last night. This multi-agency effort focuses on underage drinking and impaired driving. Final results from the Task Force are not yet available.

Anyone who has information about this incident or has questions about the Holiday Season Task Force is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Traffic Division at 240-773-6600.

JMD