LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 9, 2013)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
ASSAULT 1ST DEGREE, ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT: On June 5, Deputy R. Steinbach responded to the area of Point Lookout Rd. and Hilton Ridge Dr. in Great Mills for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed the defendant, Jerry Wayne Johnson, 39 of Leonardtown attempted to run the victim's vehicle off of the road with his vehicle after an earlier dispute between the parties. Steinbach was arrested and charged with Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and Reckless Endangerment.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On June 5, deputies responded to a residence on Saint Lo Place in Lexington Park for a report of an assault. Investigation revealed Deanna Elizabeth Lynn Gearhart, 19 of Lexington Park, was involved in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault and property damage. Gearhart struck the victim in the head knocking off the victim's glasses. Gearhart also bit the victim. Gearhart was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Destruction of Property. Deputy P. Bowen was the arresting officer.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE: On June 6, deputies responded to a residence on Piney Point Rd. in Callaway for a report of a disturbance. Investigation revealed James Thomas Lanzi, 22 of California, was involved in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Lanzi cause injury to the victim's neck and knee. Lanzi was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. Deputy J. Vezzosi was the arresting officer.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE: On June 7, Deputy D. Potter responded to a residence on Abell Drive in California for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed Troy Dean Lester, 47 of California, engaged in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Lester pulled the victim from her bed, causing her to fall and injuring knee. Lester was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE: On June 7, Deputy Lance responded to a residence on Hurry Road in Chaptico. Investigation revealed Megan Lee Lacey, 26 of Chaptico, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Lacey grabbed the victim's arms and pushed the victim. Lacey was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE: On April 24, deputies responded to a parking lot on Fire Department Lane in California for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed Christie Marie Bean-Smith was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim. The verbal dispute escalated into a physical assault when Bean-Smith slapped, punched, and kicked the victim. During the altercation a third party attempted to diffuse the situation. Bean-Smith slapped and bit the second victim. Deputy B. Foor arrested Bean-Smith and charged her with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE & DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On June 9, deputies responded to a residence on Foxchase Drive in Lexington Park for a reported disturbance. Investigation revealed James NMN Price, 52 of Lexington Park, caused a disturbance at the residence when he punched the front screen door causing damage. In addition, Price slammed the door on the victim's hand causing injury. Price fled the residence prior to the arrival of deputies, but was located a short time later in the cul de sac of Foxchase Drive. Price was yelling as Deputy Wood approached. Price's yelling caused a further disturbance. Deputy Wood instructed Price to stop yelling several times however, Price failed to comply with the Deputy's instruction. Price was arrested and charged with Destruction of Property, Disorderly Conduct, Assault 2nd Degree, and Intoxicated: Endangered the Safety.
ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE: On June 9, Cpl. B. Connelly, Deputy M. Phelan, and Deputy Potter responded to a disturbance call at a residence on Compass Circle in Hermanville. Upon arrival, Cpl. Connelly relayed to Deputy Phelan that he just observed a female subject being thrown against a third floor window to the residence and could hear her screaming. Fearing for the victim's safety deputies made entry into the residence. Investigation revealed Michael Lee Hurry II, 32 of Hermanville, and the victim were involved in a verbal dispute that escalated when Hurry chased the victim to the upstairs bedroom. Hurry punched through the bedroom door, grabbed the victim and threw her onto the bed causing her to strike her knee on the bed frame. Hurry placing his hands around the victim's throat threw her against the bedroom window. Hurry was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. Deputy M. Phelan was the arresting officer.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE & WARRANT SERVICE: On June 6, Deputy First Class T. Snyder arrested Melissa A. Ridgell, 33 of Lusby, on a Failing to Appear District Court warrant, original charge driving while suspended. A search incident to the arrest lead to the discovery of suspected alprazolam, oxycodone, and additional drug paraphernalia. Ridgell was charged additionally with four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance - not marijuana, three counts of possession paraphernalia of a controlled dangerous substance.
THEFT, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE & PARAPHERNALIA: On June 8, deputies responded to Wal-Mart in California for the report of a shoplifter who had left the area in a vehicle. Wal-Mart loss prevention provided a description of the suspect's vehicle. Deputy D. Potter located the suspect vehicle on St. Andrews Church Rd. and identified the driver as Amanda Rae Bailey, 30 of Leonardtown. Investigation revealed Bailey placed several grocery items in Wal-Mart bags and attempted to leave the business without paying for the items. Bailey was arrested for theft less than $1,000. A search incident to arrest led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia with suspected cocaine residue. Bailey was charged additionally with possession of a controlled dangerous substance - not marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia for a controlled dangerous substance.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE, DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED BY A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE, PRESCRIPTION/REMOVE LABEL: On June 8, Deputy A. Cole responded to the intersection of Hatchet Thicket Road and Olen Mattingly Road in Avenue for the report of a vehicle in the ditch. The Emergency Communications Center relayed to responding Deputies that they had received several traffic complaints concerning a dark blue Chevrolet passenger car weaving in and out of the lane. Dispatchers further advised the suspect vehicle was involved in a hit and run collision on River Springs Rd. in Abell. Deputy Cole located the suspect vehicle in the ditch and made contact with the driver, Dawn Chere Beckwith, 36, of Avenue. Deputy Cole observed sign of intoxication. Beckwith was administered a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. As a result Beckwith was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. A consent search of Beckwith's vehicle revealed several small blue pills, suspected Adderall. Beckwith was not in possession of a prescription for the Adderall. Beckwith was charged additionally possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance - Not Marijuana, Prescription/Remove Label, and Driving While Impaired by a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: On June 23 at approximately 1:07 p.m., patrol units responded to the intersection of Thompson Corner Road and Dawn Acres Lane in Mechanicsville for a motor vehicle accident. Investigation revealed that a 1989 Ford Bronco, operated by Willie Thomas Frederick, 62, of Crownsville, was traveling south bound on Thompson Corner Road. Frederick lost control of the vehicle, leaving the roadway striking a utility pole and several trees before overturning. Also inside of the vehicle were two juvenile passengers. The rear seat juvenile passenger was partially ejected from the vehicle and flown to Children's Hospital. The front seat juvenile passenger was flown to Prince George's Hospital for precautionary measures and Frederick was transported to St. Mary's Hospital for minor injuries.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be a contributing factor in the accident. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is ask to contact Cpl. William Watters #188 at (301) 475-4200 Ext. 9114
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On June 19 at approximately 10:58 p.m., Deputy Jason Kerns was conducting a neighborhood check in the area of Bristol Ave in Lexington Park. Deputy Kerns observed Lester Wayne Dyson Jr., 39, of Lexington Park, engaged in an argument with the victim. Deputy Kerns observed Dyson shove the victim and then grab the victim by her hair. Deputy Kerns intervened stopping the assault and arrested Dyson. Dyson once arrested continued to yell and act disorderly drawing neighbors out of their residences. Dyson was charged with 2nd Degree Assault and Disorderly Conduct.
THEFT LESS $100: On June 20, deputies responded to Kohl's department store in Lexington Park for a theft. Investigation revealed Lawrence Michael Ford, Jr., 21, of Lexington Park, removed merchandise from the store, passed all points of sale failing to pay for the merchandise and left the property in a green vehicle. Cpl. W. Ray located the vehicle on Chancellors Run Road and Military Lane in Lexington Park. Cpl Ray identified Ford and recovered the stolen merchandise belonging to Kohl's Department Store. Ford was charged on a Maryland Criminal Citation for Theft less than $100.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT AND WARRANT SERVICE: On June 20, deputies responded to a residence on Rogers Drive in Lexington Park for an assault in progress. Investigation revealed Michael Anitron Morsell, 25, of Indian Head, was involved in an argument with the victim over a cell phone. The argument escalated to a physical assault when Morsell punched the victim in her face causing injury. During the investigation it was learned Morsell had an outstanding Bench Warrant through the Charles County Sheriff's Office. Morsell was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault and served with the outstanding Bench Warrant for 2nd Degree Assault. Deputy T. Shomper was the arresting Officer.
1ST DEGREE ASSAULT AND 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 20, Deputy J. Krum investigated an assault that occurred at a residence on Pegg Lane in Lexington Park. Investigation revealed that the victim responded to the residence to retrieve personal items. Janus Scott Freeman, 49, of Lexington Park, and the victim engaged in an argument, resulting in Freeman pointing a gun at the victim and threatening to cause her bodily harm. The victim was able to flee the residence unharmed and contact law enforcement. Deputy Krum arrested and charged Freeman with 1st and 2nd Degree Assault.
THEFT LESS $100: On June 20, Deputy J. Lloyd responded to Wal-mart in California for the report of a shoplifter in custody. Investigation revealed Kristina Catherine McHenry, 23, of Lusby, removed merchandise from the store and passed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. McHenry was charged with Theft less $100 on a Maryland Criminal Citation.
THEFT LESS $1000 : On June 21, Deputy K. Flerlage responded to Wal-mart in California for the report of a shoplifter in custody. Investigation revealed Zachary Joseph McCarthy, 24 of Great Mills, removed merchandise from the store, passing all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. McHenry was arrested and charged with Theft less $1000.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 22, deputies responded to a residence on Ryan Way in Leonardtown for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed Brittany Marie Bowen, 23, of Leonardtown, was involved in an argument with the victim over an earlier incident involving the response of Sheriff's Deputies. During the initial response, Deputies found no crime had been committed and the situation was de-escalated. At approximately noon, the argument was rekindled and escalated to a physical assault when Bowen grabbed the phone the victim was using, scratching the victim's neck causing injury. Bowen was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault. DFC. M. Rogers was the arresting Officer.
THEFT LESS $100 AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION: On June 21, deputies responded to the Food Lion parking lot in Charlotte Hall to check the welfare of a subject stumbling close to the roadway. Deputy B. Gaskill made contact with Hunter Alexander Flori Black, 23, of La Plata, who exhibited signs of intoxication. Additionally, Black was found to be in possession of several food products. These items were found to be the property of Food Lion and were not paid for by Black. Black was arrested and charged with Theft less $100 and Public Intoxication. Deputy Gaskill was the arresting Officer.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On June 22, deputies responded to the area of Jettison Drive and Goose Neck Drive in Lexington Park for the report of shots fired. Upon the arrival of deputies, they located a black Chevrolet Corvette with two subjects inside. Deputies made contact with the occupants, Dijon Matinique Matthews, 22, of Lusby, and Troy Gregory Lastinger, 18, of Lusby. When Lastinger opened the vehicle door an odor of burnt marijuana emanated from the vehicle. Investigation revealed a partially smoked cigarette containing suspected marijuana and CDS paraphernalia containing suspected marijuana residue. Both Matthews and Lastinger were arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.
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://somd.me/presumed-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. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at http://somd.me/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at http://somd.me/expungeme .