LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 11, 2013)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
SCHOOL GUNMAN TRAINING EXERCISE: The Sheriff's Office will be conducting rapid response/active shooter training at Evergreen Elementary School in California from July 10-13 between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Community members will see an increase in police presence during this time. Training will be actively conducted within the school and on the exterior of the school grounds, but will not impact business conducted at the school.
The training program was developed by the National Tactical Officers Association, in conjunction with Texas State University and prepares law enforcement officers to respond to and effectively neutralize an armed gunman, intent on hurting others in a school or work environment. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the St. Mary's County Board of Education continue joint efforts to evaluate and strengthen emergency response protocols, ensuring the continued safety of our children.
30TH ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: The Sheriff's Office is proud to announce again this year our annual participation in National Night Out on August 6. Sheriff Timothy Cameron and Cpl. Angela Delozier welcome back last year's participating communities and encourage communities, businesses, and civic groups who have not participated in years past to celebrate National Night Out with us.
National Night Out brings neighbors together, educates, empowers community members, and sends the message to criminals, that your community is organized, educated, and is taking a stand against crime.
If you are interested in learning more about National Night Out, please contact Cpl. Angela Delozier at 301-475-4200 ext. 9094 or email: angela.delozier@stmarysmd.com.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE VIOLATION: On June 28, Deputy J. Kerns was flagged down by employees of a business on Great Mills Road in Great Mills. Employees advised that two subjects had just been fighting and were now walking down Great Mills Road. Deputy Kerns located Samantha Lynn Rainer, 21 of Great Mills, and Vernon Edward Freeland, 45 of Lexington Park, engaged in a physical altercation. Deputy Kerns observed Rainer punching and pulling at Freeland and in return, Freeland punching and shoving Rainer. Deputy Kerns intervened, stopping the physical assault and arrested both Rainer and Freeland. Search incident to arrest of Freeland, yielded a small baggie of suspected marijuana on Freeland's person. Rainer was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault and Freeland was charged with 2nd Degree Assault and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
1ST AND 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 30, deputies were in the area of the Lexington Park Storage facility, located on Great Mills Road, Great Mills, when they heard a subject yelling on the side walk behind them. Deputies made contact with the victim who advised that Katina Willieast Jenkins, 36 of Lexington Park, tried to cut him with a knife. Investigation revealed Jenkins and the victim were arguing at a residence on Manon Way in Lexington Park. The argument escalated to physical assault when Jenkins tried to cut the victim with a kitchen knife. The victim fled the residence and made contact with the deputies. Deputy A. Schultz arrested and charged Jenkins with 1st and 2nd Degree Assault.
FALSE STATEMENT: On June 30, deputies responded to a residence on Upper Kells Lane in California for the report of a subject threatening suicide. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Ryan Christopher Owens, 37 of Waldorf, who reported a female subject at the residence was attempting to commit suicide. Deputy T. Seyfried determined through his investigation that Owens and the female subject at the residence were involved in an argument. Owens fabricated the account of the female subjects attempt at harming herself in a ploy to have her removed from the residence. Deputy Seyfried arrested and charged Owens with False Report.
THEFT LESS $100: On June 26, Deputy T. Wesner responded to Walmart in California for a theft. Investigation revealed Kevin Anthony Held, 18 of Leonardtown, removed merchandise from the store, passed all points of sale failing to pay for the merchandise. Held was charged on a Maryland Criminal Citation for Theft less $100.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 30 at approximately 11:30 pm, deputies responded to Camp Merryelande Road, Piney Point, for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed Scott Alan Henderson, 31 of Valley Lee, found information on the victim's cell phone which upset him. Henderson woke the victim from her sleep and physically assaulted her, by punching and attempting to strangle the victim, leaving physical injury. Henderson released the victim and began to break property within the residence. The victim fled the residence and called police. Upon Deputies' arrival, Henderson had fled from the residence and was located a short distance away. Deputy C. Ellis arrested and charged Henderson with 2nd Degree Assault.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On June 29, Deputy W. Bankhead patrolling the area of Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, when he observed several subjects standing in a driveway. The actions of the subjects indicated they were about to fight. Deputy Bankhead and Dfc. M. Boyer made contact with the subjects to investigate. Patrick Vincent Scriber, Jr., 19 of Lexington Park, began to walk away from the deputies. Scriber upon request came back to speak with Deputy Bankhead. Dfc. Boyer checked the sidewalk area where Scriber had been standing and located a small baggie containing suspected marijuana. Search incident to arrest of Scriber revealed an additional baggie of suspected marijuana on his persons. Scriber was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Paraphernalia.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On June 29 at approximately 12:14 a.m., Dfc. T. Snyder initiated a traffic stop on Chevrolet Monte Carlo displaying expired Maryland registration plates. Dfc. T. Snyder made contact with the driver, James Russell Cassell, 21 of Colonial Beach, Virgina. A check of Cassells driving status through Virginia and Maryland revealed Cassells driving privileges were suspended in both states. Search incident to arrest revealed a cigarette containing suspected marijuana. Cassell was issued numerous motor vehicle citations for driving suspended and arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Paraphernalia.
VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER: On July 1, Deputy A. Cole served a protective order against Jean Marie Gagnon, 51, of Mechanicsville. At the time of the protective order service, the petitioner was at the residence. Deputy Cole was explaining the conditions of the order, which stipulated Gagnon was not to have any contact with the petitioner, when Gagnon became irate. Gagnon advised she understood the conditions of the protective order, however, prior to leaving the residence she began to yell at the petitioner. Deputy Cole advised Gagnon the protective order was now in effect. Gagnon disregarded Deputy Cole and continued yelling at the petitioner. Gagnon was arrested and charged with Violation of a Protective Order.
THEFT LESS $100: On June 26, Deputy T. Wesner responded to Walmart in California for a reported theft. Investigation revealed Sabrina Lakeisha Saleem, 22 of California, removed merchandise from the store, concealed it, and then passed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. Saleem was charged with Theft less $100 on a Maryland Criminal Citation.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On July 2, Deputy A. Manns responded to a residence on Mount Wolf Way in Charlotte Hall for an assault. Investigation revealed Amber Michelle Coppage, 19 of Charlotte Hall, was arguing with the victim. The argument escalated to an assault when Coppage pushed the victim into the stair railing, injuring the victim. Coppage was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, WARRANT SERVICES: On July 2, deputies responded to a residence on Midway Drive, Lexington Park for an assault in progress. Upon arrival, deputies observed the victim and Dante Dean Thomas, 27 of Lexington Park, yelling at each other. Investigation revealed Thomas and the victim had been arguing, when Thomas became angry and started punching the victim. The victim attempted to get away, but Thomas grabbed the victim by her hair, pulling her to the ground. Deputy M. Phelan arrested and charged Thomas with 2nd Degree Assault. Once at the St. Mary's County Detention Center, Thomas was found to have three outstanding warrants. Deputy M. Phelan served the outstanding warrants on Thomas for the following: Failing to Appear - Child Support, Malicious Destruction of Property, and 2nd Degree Assault.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT, FAIL TO OBEY A LAWFUL ORDER: On July 4 at approximately 2:29 am, Deputy A. Schultz entered the Wawa located at 23141 Three Notch Rd. in California for the report of a disturbance inside the establishment. Once inside, Deputy Schultz's attention was drawn to a female subject yelling and using profanity. Deputy Schultz identified the female as Sheila Junita Somerville, 37 of Compton. Somerville was ordered to cease her yelling and cursing, as her actions were creating a disturbance. Somerville exited the establishment and continued yelling and cursing. Somerville was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Failing to Obey a Lawful Order.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: On July 4 at approximately 2:30 am, deputies responded to the Wawa, located at 23141 Three Notch Rd. in California, for a property destruction. William Thomas Douglas, 31 of Lexington Park, without warning, punched and broke one of the touch screen deli computers. Deputy T. Shomper entered the establishment making contact with Douglas, who then fled from the business. After a brief foot pursuit, Deputy T. Shomper apprehended Douglas. Search incident to arrest revealed, Douglas was in possession of suspected cocaine. Douglas was arrested and charged with Destruction of Property and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
THEFT LESS $1000: On July 4 at approximately 1:30 pm, deputies responded to Walmart in California for a theft. Prior to deputies' arrival, the suspects fled on foot from the business. Deputies located Bethany Nicole Gearhart, 22 of Lexington Park, and Michael Anthony Moran, 27 of Leonardtown, in the woods between Walmart and Hickory Hills. After a foot pursuit, Moran and Gearhart were apprehended by Deputy Gaskill. Search incident to arrest revealed Moran had Xanax on his person and Gearhart had suboxone on her person. Moran and Gearhart were arrested and charged with Theft less $1000 and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
THEFT LESS $1000: On July 4, Deputy P. Lance responded to Walmart in California for a reported theft. Michael Anthony Moran, 27 of Leonardtown, entered Walmart on July 3 and exited the business with merchandise, passing all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. Moran was arrested on July 4 by Deputy B. Gaskill for a separate theft from the business. Through Walmart video surveillance, Deputy Lance was able to identify Moran for the theft on July 3rd. Moran was arrested and charged with Theft less $1000.
3RD DEGREE BURGLARY, 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On July 3 at approximately 10:00 pm, Deputy W. Bankhead responded to a residence on Chapman Drive, Lexington Park, for an assault. Investigation revealed that Ever Jesus Ortiz Hernandez, 29 of Lexington Park, knocked on the back door of the victim's residence. The victim's small child opened the door and Hernandez pushed through, knocking the child down and gaining entry into the residence. Hernandez then entered the victim's bedroom and began to assault the victim. Another adult subject in the residence attempted to intervene and was assaulted by Hernandez. Prior to deputies' arrival, Hernandez fled from the residence, but was located a short time later. Hernandez was arrested and charged with 3rd Degree Burglary and three counts of 2nd Degree Assault.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On July 4 at approximately 9:48 pm., Deputy T. Shomper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for numerous traffic violations at Three Notch Road and Hermanville Road. Deputy Shomper made contact with the driver, William Patrick Nash, 48 of Lexington Park. Nash exhibited signs of Intoxication. During a consent search of Nash, he threw what was later recovered and identified as a baggie containing suspected marijuana into the bed of his truck. Nash was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Paraphernalia.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, RESISTING ARREST, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On July 4 at approximately 10:40 pm, Deputy P. Lance was assisting another Deputy on a vehicle stop near Canopy Liquors in Lexington Park. Deputy Lance heard yelling and observed Thomas Lamont Harris, 35 of Lexington Park, and the victim arguing. Deputy Lance ordered Harris and the victim to cease their actions. Harris continued yelling and assaulted the victim. Deputy Lance intervened and after a brief struggle, Harris was arrested. Search incident to arrest revealed Harris had a smoking device with suspected marijuana residue on his person. Harris was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Paraphernalia.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On July 4, deputies responded to a residence on Sky View Drive in Chaptico for an assault. Jamel Tiant Mitchell, 29 of Chaptico, was involved in an argument with the victim. The argument escalated to an assault when Mitchell struck the victim in the face and arm causing injury. Mitchell left the residence but returned several hours later, kicking in the front door of the residence. Mitchell pulled the victim from her bed and struck the victim repeatedly. Another adult within the residence attempted to intervene and was assaulted by Mitchell. Mitchell was arrested and charged with three counts of 2nd Degree Assault. Deputy A. Schultz was the arresting Officer.
WARRANT SERVICE: James Albert Frazier, 29 of Clinton, was arrested on a District Court Arrest Warrant for False Statement to a Police Officer and Obstructing and Hindering. Deputy A. Schultz was the arresting Officer.
WARRANT SERVICE: Kenneth Floyd Dodson, 22 of Hollywood, was arrested on a District Court Arrest Warrant for 2nd Degree Assault. Cpl. D. Corcoran was the arresting Officer.
WARRANT SERVICE: Joseph Cephus Harrod, 27 of Lexington Park, was arrested on a Circuit Court Child Support Warrant. Dfc. Snyder was the arresting Officer.
THREAT OF ARSON, TELEPHONE MISUSE: On July 7, Dfc. D. Harris responded to a residence on Water View Drive in Mechanicsville for a reported harassment. Donna Lynn Roach-Hughes, 41 of Bushwood, repeatedly called and sent text messages to the victim, making threats of violence and threats to set fire to the victim's residence. Dfc. Harris while at the victim's residence witnessed phone calls coming from Hughes to the victim, and heard several threatening statements directed towards the victim. Dfc. Harris located Hughes, placed her under arrest and charged her with Threat of Arson and Telephone Misuse.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: On July 6, Deputy T. Teague responded to the area of Joe Baker Court in Lexington Park to assist the fire department. Upon arrival, Deputy Teague was advised by fire department personnel that a vehicle had struck their fire hose. They observed the vehicle park and the driver exit while holding an open alcoholic beverage container. Deputy Teague located the vehicle and Clifton Nathaniel Harris, Jr., 35 of Great Mills, was identified as the driver of the striking vehicle. Deputy Teague administered standardized field sobriety resulting in the arrest of Harris. Search incident to arrest revealed two small plastic baggies containing suspected Marijuana. Harris was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT, 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA: On July 6, Deputy A. Cole responded to the area of Rt. 5 and Redgate Farm Lane in Leonardtown for a reported hit and run accident. Deputy Cole met with the victim who provided suspect vehicle information and the vehicle's Maryland registration plate information. The victim advised while he was traveling on Rt. 5, the suspect vehicle approached from behind. The driver, later identified as Michael Saunders Duke, 55 of Leonardtown, struck the victim's vehicle from behind twice. Duke continued driving as the victim pulled off the road to call police. Deputy Cole located the described vehicle and Duke. Deputy Cole observed Duke to exhibit signs of intoxication and his vehicle to have corresponding damage to the reported hit and run accident. Duke was placed under arrest. Search incident to arrest revealed a smoking device with suspected marijuana residue. Duke was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Duke was also issued Maryland Traffic Citations for: Failure to return to and remain on the scene of an accident, Following too closely, and Failure to control vehicle speed to avoid collision.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: On July 7 at approximately 12:05 am, Deputy K. Flerlage responded to the area of St. Andrews Church Road and Fairgrounds Road for a motor vehicle accident. Deputy Flerlage made contact with Christopher Joseph Walker, 31 of Huntington. Walker was determined to be the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. Upon contact, Deputy Flerlage observed Walker to be displaying signs of intoxication. Walker submitted to standardized field sobriety testing which resulted in Walkers arrest. Walker was arrested and charged on Maryland Motor Vehicle citations for Driving While Intoxicated, Driving Under the Influence, Negligent Driving and Failure to Yield Right of Way.
THEFT UNDER $100: On July 8, deputies responded to the Food Lion in Callaway for a theft. Deputy W. Bankhead made contact with an employee of Food Lion who advised two female subjects entered the store placing grocery items in their shopping cart and some grocery items in their purses. Karen Nicole Smith, 41 of Lexington Park, and Kristen Nicole Call, 24 of Lexington Park, paid for the grocery items in the shopping cart. Smith and Call then passed all points of sale without paying for the grocery items within their purses. Smith and Call were arrested and charged with Theft Under $100.
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 .