Drug and Alcohol Arrests by MSP in St. Mary's County


Does large number of drug and alcohol-related arrests stemming from routine traffic stops suggest that the user's habit has adversely affected their brain, or did their condition pre-date their drug use?

LEONARDTOWN, Md. - The Leonardtown Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) today released the following drug and alcohol-related incident and arrest reports.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 9:52 am, TFC Grimes & Tpr Evans observed a red Pontiac Grand Am exceeding the posted speed limit on Rt. 235 in the area of Pegg Rd. in Lexington Park. A traffic stop was initiated for the violation. Contact was made with the driver, Shawn Michael Merchant, 19, of Callaway. Tpr. Evans detected an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A MVA check revealed Mr. Merchant's driving privileges in Maryland were suspended. Mr. Merchant was placed under arrest for driving while suspended. During the course of the traffic stop a plastic bag of marijuana was found on his person. Mr. Merchant was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and charged with possession of marijuana and driving while suspended.

On February 5, 2007, TFC Linger and Tpr Evans were conducting a patrol check of the Best Western Motel in California when he observed a male and female to the rear of the establishment standing by a passenger car. The male subject fled on foot and was later apprehended and identified as Michael Anthony Reed, Jr., 22, of Staunton, VA. A routine check through NCIC revealed there was an outstanding warrant with the Staunton Virginia Police Department for Violation of Probation for possession of CDS. There is also an Indictment held by the Virginia State Police. A search incident to arrest revealed Mr. Reed was in possession of 13 small bags of cocaine. Mr. Reed was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review and extradition hearing back to Virginia.

On Monday, February 5, 2007 at 12:54 pm, Tpr Koock observed a 1990 Lincoln Town Car on Wildewood Parkway as a result of a 911 broadcast for CDS activity. A traffic stop was initiated. A strong odor of burnt marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Contact was made with both the male driver, 17, of Mechanicsville and the passenger, Robert Edward Sullivan, 18, of Hollywood. During the course of the traffic stop, a criminal citation was issued to Mr. Sullivan for possession of CDS paraphernalia. Both subjects were released at the scene.

On Monday, February 5, 2007 at 3:54 pm, TFC Linger observed a green Mercury Sable and the driver not restrained by the seatbelt. A routine traffic stop was initiated for the violation. Contact was made with the driver, Larry Graham Chambers., Jr., 33, of Waldorf and the passenger, Jason Alan Richardson, 35 of Waldorf. A strong odor of burnt marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. During the course of the traffic stop, Mr. Chambers was found to be in possession of a partially burnt marijuana cigarette. Mr. Richardson was found to be in possession of a cellophane bag of marijuana. Both subjects were charged with possession of marijuana and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review.

On Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 3:37 am, TFC Rezza observed 1993 Toyota Previa traveling south bound Rt. 235 prior to Rt. 245 exceeding the posted speed limit. A traffic stop was initiated, contact with the driver, Kenneth Lee Childs, 37, of Lexington Park and the passenger, Justin Dewitt Carter, 23, of Mechanicsville. A check of MVA/NCIC revealed Mr. Childs' driving privileges in Maryland were suspended and the vehicle was reported stolen yesterday's date. Both occupants were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. A search incident to arrest revealed a small plastic bag of crack cocaine. Both subjects were charged accordingly and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review. The stolen Toyota Previa was returned to the owner at the scene.

On Friday, February 2, 2007 at 1:47 pm, Tpr Koock responded to assist DFC Walker of St. Mary's County Sheriff Dept on a traffic stop at Rt. 235 and Mt. Zion Church Rd. in Mechanicsville. Upon arrival, contact was made with the driver, Catherine Marie Sullivan, 45, of Mechanicsville. A routine check through MILES/NCIC revealed Ms. Sullivan had an open Circuit Court True Bill Indictment for Burglary 1st Degree through MSP Leonardtown. Ms. Sullivan was arrested on the open warrant. A search incident to the arrest revealed a Miller Lite beer can with cocaine residue in the vehicle. Ms. Sullivan was charged for possession of cocaine and CDS paraphernalia. She was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review.

On Friday, February 2, 2007 at 2:47 am, TFC Quade observed a blue Ford Escort with an equipment violation. A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with the driver, Paul William Barton, 47, of Lusby. A check through MVA revealed Mr. Barton's driving privileges were suspended. Mr. Barton was arrested for driving while suspended. A search incident to arrest revealed Mr. Barton was in possession of one plastic baggie of marijuana and crack cocaine. Mr. Barton was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

On Friday, February 2, 2007 at 8:30 am, TFC Nims observed a 1991 Lexus LS on Rt. 246 in Lexington Park. A routine MVA check of the tags revealed they were suspended for an insurance violation. Contact was made with the driver, Reginald Cornelius Rainey, 34, of Lexington Park. A check of MVA revealed Mr. Rainey's driving privileges were suspended in Maryland. During the course of the traffic stop 2 medium size bags of Marijuana were observed in the vehicle. Mr. Rainey was arrested for possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended license. He was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review.

On Friday, February 2, 2007 at 1:05 am, TFC Quade observed a red Jeep Cherokee exceeding the posted speed limit in the area of Rt. 235 and Pegg Rd. in Lexington Park. Contact was made with the female driver. An odor of burnt marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Contact was made with a passenger, Domonique Terrill Barnes, 19, of Ridge. A routine check through NCIC revealed that Mr. Barnes was wanted by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department on an outstanding bench warrant. DFC Fleenor took custody of Mr. Barnes and transported him to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for processing of the warrant. A secondary search was performed and Mr. Barnes had 7 baggies of marijuana hidden in his shoe. TFC Quade charged Mr. Barnes with possession of CDS pending a bond review.

DUI ARRESTS:

Crystal Marie Moore, 25, of Lusby on 2/2/07 by TFC R. B. Rezza

Eric Blaine Schmalgemeyer, 28, of Hollywood on 2/2/07 by TFC M. A. Moore

Terah Jean Koehnen, 23, of Lusby on 2/2/07 by TFC R. B. Rezza

Craig Michael Wathen, 23, of Hollywood on 2/3/07 by TFC J. G. Fleetwood

Erika Dawn Horsmon, 30, of Lexington Park on 2/3/07 by TFC T. H. Quade

Ernest Charles Mincey, 30, of Hollywood on 2/3/07 by Tpr. M. A. Koock

Philip Martin Chase, 42, of Waldorf on 2/3/07 by TFC P. A. Trossbach

Randy Michael Fersch, 42, of Mechanicsville on 2/3/07 by TFC P. A. Trossbach

Heather Ann Baril, 23, of Owings on 2/4/07 by TFC R. B. Rezza

Regina Kay Zaorski, 42, of Leonardtown on 2/5/07 by Tpr. M. A. Koock

Ray Woodrow Fannon, 52, of Hollywood on 2/6/07 by TFC M. R. Grimes

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