LEONARDTOWN, Md. (November 26, 2007)—A major battle in the so-called war on drugs was waged in St. Mary's County over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) Vice Narcotics Division conducted a two-phase enforcement initiative which resulted in several arrests and seized drugs, cash, and property. Those arrested ranged in age from 20 to 63.
Police say their strategy was to execute search and seizure warrants on "key felony drug suspects" and to serve outstanding Felony Grand Jury indictments.
Detectives from BCI Vice Narcotics were assisted throughout the weekend-long operation by the St. Mary's County Emergency Services Team, Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, and members of the Vice Narcotics Support Team.
Police reported the following incidents and arrests:
Narcotics detectives executed a search and seizure warrant on the home of James Deshaun Bowman, 27, of Lexington Park. Approximately $1,300 worth of crack and powdered cocaine was seized as well as a quantity of marijuana and methadone pills. About $1,600.00 in cash was found and seized also.
A search and seizure warrant was executed on a home in the Medley's Neck area of Leonardtown. Once inside detectives located more than four pounds of marijuana valued at nearly $6,000.00, two firearms, and more than $13,000.00 dollars in cash. A vehicle was also seized in conjunction with the drug case. Jeb Jay McWade, 25, of Leonardtown, was arrested and charged. Lesser charges were filed against Francis Walter Duke, 60, of Leonardtown, after detectives located a small amount of crack cocaine and a related smoking device in his possession.
Detectives served an additional warrant on the home of Shirley Morris of Hatchet Thicket Road. Once inside detectives observed a large, flat-screen TV in the suspect's bedroom that was being used to monitor the activities of the driveway area and the main point of entry to the house. More than $1,800.00 worth of prescription medication was seized, which were primarily painkillers. More than $2,600.00 in cash and a video surveillance system was also seized and Shirley Ann Morris, 63, of Avenue, was arrested and charged.
John Edward Colleary, 53, of Leonardtown, was arrested on an open warrant after detectives from BCI Vice Narcotics indicted him. He was charged after he was apprehended with more than two pounds of marijuana and one ounce of powdered cocaine with a total street value of about $6,000.00. He is being held without bond in the St. Mary's County Detention Center.
Loretta Jane Sweeney, 27, of Leonardtown, and Rayfield Charles Blackistone, 51, of Leonardtown, were charged after a search warrant was executed on a Leonardtown home they occupied. Both were charged with possession of cocaine and related smoking devices.
Melvin Arthur Jeffrey, 39, of Bushwood, was charged with possession of cocaine and related paraphernalia. As officers approached the residence in execution of a search warrant, Jeffrey was in the front yard of the home and threw an object. That item was recovered by detectives and found to be crack cocaine. He was charged with possession of cocaine and related paraphernalia.
A Search and Seizure Warrant was executed in the Lexington Park area which led to the arrest of Robert Damian McCarson, 20, of Lexington Park, for an outstanding warrant through the Calvert County Sheriff's Office. Additional charges are pending a State's Attorney's Office review. A second suspect, Jermaine T. Hollingsworth, 20, of Lexington Park, was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and related smoking device. A handgun was also recovered and will be processed. The State's Attorney's Office will be briefed and advise if additional charges will be filed.
Suspect Roger Lee Sexton, 55, of Lexington Park, was arrested on a St. Mary's County Grand Jury indictment for distribution of cocaine. He is being held without bail.
Kashif Louis Dyson, 23, of Lexington Park, was arrested on an open St. Mary's County Grand Jury indictment for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. He is being held without bail. A second suspect, Lamont Eugene Spicer, 38, of Lexington Park, was with Dyson and he was also found to be wanted for a DWI violation. Spicer was arrested.
A search warrant was conducted on a residence occupied and controlled by Charles Michael Pauley, 35. The search revealed a marijuana growing operation. More than $5,000.00 worth of marijuana plants were seized. Pauley was indicted by detectives from the BCI Vice Narcotics Division.