LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 25, 2008) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
FOILED JAIL BREAK: On April 8, 2008, St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) detectives initiated an investigation at the St. Mary's County Detention Center after information was received inmates were plotting to escape. Detectives discovered several inmates had conspired together and attempted to escape from a secured area of the Detention Center. The details of the method in which this was performed are not being released at this time. During the investigation detectives conducted a search of the confined area which revealed signs of damage to the structure.
On April 21 and 24 BCI detectives charged the following individuals with conspiracy to commit 1st degree escape and malicious destruction of property over $500: Antonio Warren Gantt who was incarcerated for bank robbery and other related charges, Johnnie William Raines, and Christopher Allen Williams who were both incarcerated for burglaries and other related charges at the time of the attempted escape. Additional inmates have charges pending.
THEFT, BURGLARY, DOP: On April 24, St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) detectives arrested Ryan Joseph Rice, age 19, from Mechanicsville, and charged him with burglary, theft of motor vehicle, destruction of property, 3 counts of theft and 5 counts of burglary to motor vehicle. The charges stemmed from a BCI investigation into April 21 thefts from motor vehicles in Birch Manor in Mechanicsville and an April 22 burglary, theft from motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle on Harpers Corner Road in Mechanicsville. Additional charges are pending. Rice was incarcerated at the St. Mary's County Detention Center.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: On April 23 at 7:50 a.m., Dfc. J. Kirkner responded to Valley Drive Estates, in Lexington Park, for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed Shanita Williams, age 31, of Lexington Park and Joseph D. Young, age 37, of Lexington Park were involved in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical altercation. Williams and Young began assaulting each other inside the residence. Both subjects received minor injuries in the altercation. Williams and Young were placed under arrest, charged with assault second degree and incarcerated in the Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.