LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Feb. 13, 2009) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest report.
ASSAULT, ILLEGAL DRUGS: On Feb. 13 at 12:10 a.m., Deputy J. Stone initiated a vehicle stop a 2009 Ford Windstar van for a traffic violation on Independence Drive at Barnes Court in Mechanicsville. Deputy Stone detected an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle and asked the driver, identified as David I. Butler, 36, to exit the vehicle at which time he refused. Butler then placed the vehicle in drive and fled the scene. Butler turned the vehicle around and drove directly toward Deputy Stone's vehicle. Deputy Stone was able to take evasive action and avoid a collision. A vehicle pursuit ensued with the suspect vehicle traveling in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit terminated after Butler pulled into the parking lot of a Mechanicsville business. A search incident to arrest revealed Butler was also in possession of suspected marijuana. Butler was charged with first degree assault, fleeing and eluding police, possession of CDS and incarcerated in the Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.