LEONARDTOWN, Md. (February 8, 2013)—The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) Narcotics Division released the following incident and arrest reports. The Division is an investigative team comprised of detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police Drug Enforcement Division, and Federal Drug Agents (HIDTA Group 34). The Division was established on September 1st, 2007 and is based in St. Mary’s County.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: Vice/Narcotics detectives conducted a month long investigation into prescription medication being distributed by Suspect Joseph Lee Yates, 41 of Lexington Park. Detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant. Suspect Yates was observed by detectives distributing Oxycodone to two other individuals in the parking lot of a business in the northern portion of St. Mary's County. Suspect Yates attempted to swallow several Oxycodone tablets, however detectives were able to prevent that and recover the pills. A second suspect, Diane Rachel Forrest, 43 of Lexington Park, was apprehended and found to be in possession of 24 Oxycodone pills. Detectives witnessed her purchasing from Suspect Yates. Two additional arrests are pending. In total 101 Tramadol, 13 Clonazepam, 15 Methadone and 115 Oxycodone tablets were recovered. The street value of the pills seized exceeds $4,000. In addition to multiple cellular phones, nearly $1,000 was recovered as well. This investigation continues and additional arrests and charges are expected.
OXYCODONE: Vice/Narcotics detectives began an investigation into Oxycodone distribution from a Leonardtown home. One of the targets was identified as Chad Richard Rison, 27 of Mechanicsville. A search warrant revealed numerous Oxycodone tablets as well as a firearm. Suspect Rison was indicted and charged with Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm while Drug Trafficking.
OXYCODONE: Kevin Jeffrey Hancock, 28 of Leonardtown, was indicted by vice narcotics detectives and subsequently charged with Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm while Trafficking Narcotics.
OXYCODONE: Vice/Narcotics detectives were forwarded information from patrol deputies related to Suspect Margaret Patricia Hare, 48 of Leonardtown, and her possible distribution of prescription medication. Detectives observed her sell Oxycodone to Suspect Michele Duclos, 36 of Great Mills. Three cell phones were recovered along with 47 Oxycodone tablets from Suspect Hare's bra, one tablet from Suspect Duclos' person, cash and marijuana from a third party that is awaiting charges. Additional charges are pending against Hare.
OXYCODONE: Vice/Narcotics detectives received several complaints regarding Jacqueline Dale Buckler, 44 of Ridge, and her alleged distribution of prescription medication. Several undercover purchases of Oxycodone were made and Suspect Buckler was indicted on multiple counts to include Distribution of Oxycodone.
OXYCODONE: Amber Elizabeth Clark, 26 of Mechanicsville, was indicted for her role in Attempting to Introduce Oxycodone into a Secured Correctional Facility and Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute.
OXYCODONE: Information was received by Vice/Narcotics detectives that Stacey Ann Thompson, 26 of Mechanicsville, was distributing Oxycodone from her home in Mechanicsville. Undercover purchases were made and Suspect Thompson was indicted on several counts of Distribution of Oxycodone.
MARIJUANA: Terry Lee O'Neil III, 31 of Ridge, was indicted and charged with Distribution of Marijuana after undercover purchases of marijuana were conducted by detectives. Suspect O'Neil was selling the drugs from his home.
PRESCRIPTION FRAUD: Aaron Maynard Bobo, 36 of Lusby, was arrested after he was identified by narcotics detectives from St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Calvert County Sheriff's Office as being involved in passing fraudlent prescriptions in both jurisdictions. In addition to the St. Mary's County warrant, a Calvert County Circuit Court warrant was served as well.
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Over a span of three days, the vice narcotics division conducted several operations and enforcement initiatives throughout St. Mary's County. The efforts were a result of ongoing investigations, surveillance and community supplied information. Summaries of the resulting arrests follow:
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: Detectives observed Steven Michael Otto, 28 of Hollywood, exit a local pharmacy and immediately make contact with Suspect Michael James Luber, 30 of Hollywood. Suspect Otto removed pills from his prescription bottle and a transaction occurred. Suspect Otto was then observed crushing pills and ingesting them by snorting them. Detectives found Suspect Otto was in possession of 56 Alprazolam pills, 2 one dollar bills with residue, a cellular phone and one Suboxone strip. Suspect Luber was found in possession of two cellular phones, 2 Suboxone strips and the two Alprazolam pills which he received from Steven Otto. Both suspects were arrested and charged accordingly.
MARIJUANA: Vice/Narcotics detectives, assisted by the St. Mary's County Emergency Services Team, Sheriff's Office K-9 division and Vice/Narcotics Support Team members executed search and seizure warrants on a Loveville residence. Antoine Markel Yates, 20, was identified through an extensive investigation as a distributor of marijuana. The search revealed nearly three quarters of a pound of marijuana, packaging paraphernalia and digital scales. The marijuana was valued at more than $1,300. A second suspect, Martin Durrell Yates, 24, was found to be in possession of marijuana, a related smoking device, cocaine and a digital scale with residue. He was charged accordingly. Suspect Antoine Yates was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and possession w/intent to distribute. Additional charges are expected.
MARIJUANA: Lorne Cardell Gross, 46 of Leonardtown, was charged with Possession of Marijuana after detectives encountered him during a prescription drug investigation.
MORPHINE: Tina Marie Tippett, 24 of Lexington Park, was charged for her role in conspiring to introduce Morphine into the St. Mary's County Detention Center.
OXYCODONE: Detectives observed Robert Allan Hayden, 27, and his sister, Kelly Marie Hayden, 31, both of Hollywood, involved in a drug transaction in a business parking lot. Suspect Robert Hayden was seen placing something into his jacket pocket. Two Oxycodone tablets were recovered from that location. Suspect Kelly Hayden was noted to have placed something inside a cup holder in her vehicle. Eight Oxycodone tablets were recovered from that location. Suspect Robert and Kelly Hayden were charged with the illegal possession of Oxycodone.
CRACK COCAINE: After identifying Suspect Alvin Benard Gray aka Chubs, 50 of Great Mills, as a distributor of Crack cocaine, vice narcotics detectives conducted an investigation that led to them obtaining a search and seizure warrant. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Team, Vice/Narcotics Support Team, K-9 deputies and detectives executed the search warrant and recovered Crack cocaine, a digital scale, packaging paraphernalia and cash. Suspect Gray was charged accordingly.
OXYCODONE: After witnessing a drug transaction detectives detained Suspect Phillip Roy Jett, 44 of Leonardtown, and a second individual for further investigation. Suspect Jett was found to be in possession of several Oxycodone pills and two dollar bills with Oxycodone residue. Suspect Jett was utilizing the dollar bills to crush then snort the pills.
MARIJUANA: After detectives identified Cody Scott Owens, 22 of Ridge, as being involved in facilitating marijuana sales, a search and seizure warrant was obtained and subsequently executed. Recovered was cash, two cell phones, Oxycodone, marijuana, paraphernalia and a drug ledger. Additional charges are pending a review with the State's Attorney.
CRACK COCAINE: Michael Wayne Dement, 55 of Mechanicsville, was served a warrant related to possession of Crack cocaine, a related smoking device and driving while suspended. He was incarcerated on unrelated charges as well.
COCAINE: Shannon Nichele Berry, 41 of Lexington Park, had contact with St. Mary's County Deputy Sheriff's related to a drug investigation. It was believed that Suspect Berry had swallowed a quantity of cocaine. After a brief hospital stay, cocaine was recovered by hospital staff and turned over the detectives. Suspect Berry was charged with Possession of Cocaine.
Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned.