On a quiet morning in Accokeek, Maryland, the community was disturbed by a grim discovery. On February 13, 2017, an off-duty Prince George's County Police Officer was alerted to an unresponsive man inside a parked car in the 3300 block of St Marys View Road. The man, identified as 28-year-old Timothy Sherod of Glenarden, was found slumped over in the driver's seat of his vehicle, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sherod was a hard-working man, employed as a foreman for Amtrak and also driving part-time for Lyft. At the time of his death, he was eagerly awaiting the birth of his daughter.
The investigation into the homicide revealed a tragic story of deception and betrayal. Detectives learned that the fatal shooting stemmed from a dispute over money. The inquiry uncovered that Sherod had met 19-year-old Cessna Blow of Temple Hills through an online dating service. After he realized she had lied to obtain money from him, Sherod contacted her to request its return. Blow agreed to meet him, but she did not come alone. She arrived with 24-year-old Donvain Hodges of Fort Washington, who ambushed and killed Sherod. The investigation was aided by surveillance cameras in the residential area, which provided crucial evidence for detectives.
Within days of the discovery of Sherod's body, authorities made arrests in the case. Both Donvain Hodges and Cessna Blow were taken into custody and charged with first and second-degree murder, along with other related charges. In January, Cessna Blow pleaded guilty to armed robbery, conspiracy, and the use of a firearm during a crime of violence. As part of her plea, she testified against Hodges and received a 50-year prison sentence. Following a trial, Donavain Hodges was convicted of first-degree murder in December. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with all but 45 years suspended. He was also given a mandatory five-year sentence for the use of a handgun in a crime of violence, to be served prior to the murder sentence.
