Millington Man Sentenced to Prison for 2024 Killing

​ A Millington man will spend decades behind bars after pleading guilty in the 2024 death of his stepfather.

According to the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, 48-year-old Brian Joseph Sykes entered a guilty plea on April 7 to charges of second-degree murder and motor vehicle theft in connection with the death of 67-year-old David Howard Teat.

Sykes was sentenced on April 23 to a total of 45 years in prison, with 10 years suspended. He is expected to serve 35 years, followed by five years of supervised probation.

The investigation began on October 11, 2024, when authorities responded to a home on Pfalzgroff Road in Millington, where Teat was found dead inside the residence.

Investigators say the killing stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Sykes and Teat, who was both his stepfather and landlord. Authorities said Teat had been in the process of trying to evict Sykes.

Following the incident, Teat’s vehicle and trailer were reported missing, prompting a multi-state alert. Sykes was located two days later during a traffic stop in Philadelphia. Police say he attempted to flee, striking several vehicles before being taken into custody. Minor injuries were reported.

The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later determined Teat died from multiple sharp-force injuries.
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Officials say forensic evidence, including DNA and fingerprint analysis, along with statements made during the investigation, helped lead to Sykes’ conviction.