Waldorf man charged with two counts of first-degree assault

Allegedly chased two men with a machete

Fred Ray Dickens, 46, of Waldorf has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson and two counts of reckless endangerment for allegedly threatening to attack two victims with a machete on Aug. 18.

According to court documents, Dickens hired one of the victims to cut his grass. For the year the victim worked for Dickens, the victim was unsure of Dickens’ last name.

The previously employed victim told Charles County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Walker that Dickens texted him and got upset when the victim refused the offer to help him allegedly sell narcotics.

Approximately 20 minutes later, while the victims were talking at the corner of Marsh Hawk Drive and Snow Owl Place in Waldorf, two vehicles pulled up and four people got out, one of which was Dickens. Dickens began walking toward the two victims, yelling and allegedly swinging the machete around in a threatening manner.

One of the victims backed away as the other remained standing at the corner while Dickens approached them. When Dickens got close to the victim, he allegedly half swung the machete as if he was going to strike him. The victim later told the officer, “I was scared he was going to hit me with the machete,” after telling Walker he did not move, according to court documents.

Dickens then allegedly chased after the other victim, swinging the machete for approximately 10 minutes. Dickens then got back in the vehicle and left.

The victim previously employed by Dickens showed Walker where Dickens lives and described Dickens as a white male approximately 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall and between the ages of 40 and 50. Police were later able to learn Dickens full name through the CCSO computer system.

Dickens has a preliminary scheduled for Nov. 5. hearing