LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 8, 2009) – On Friday morning police executed a search warrant on an address in the 20700 block of Vintage Lane in Lexington Park. The target of police was Charles Michael Pauley, who was taken into custody on two open grand jury indictments. Police tagged on charges for possession of marijuana and a third count of illegal possession of a regulated firearm as a result of their raid, according to a statement issued Saturday.
Police say the raid was the result of an investigation started in January. Police say they suspected Pauley was in possession of numerous regulated firearms.
Saturday's police statement identified Pauley as a "convicted felon."
The investigation was initiated by the Southern Maryland Information Center and later assumed by the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI).
Police obtained indictments against Pauley for 2 counts of Regulated Firearm: Illegal Possession and First Degree Assault. A grand jury indictment only requires a majority of jurors to agree with the State that there is cause to proceed with criminal charges against the accused.
Once inside Pauley's residence, police say they contacted the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, along with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Explosives Division from Dahlgren, Virginia and requested they respond to the scene to secure what police termed "unknown explosives."
According to Maryland court records, Mr. Pauley served 2 days of a 10 day
sentence in 1991 for possession of illegal drugs, not marijuana. A second charge
for possession of CDS paraphernalia with intent to use was dropped.
Records also show that Mr. Pauley was arrested and jailed on Feb. 17, 1992 for "Theft: $300 plus value." The disposition of the case could not be determined online.
This is not the first time that local police have targeted Mr. Pauley with an indictment.
The final of three online Maryland court records for Mr. Pauley indicate that he was indicted on Nov. 14, 2007 for an offense that allegedly took place on June 29, 2007. Mr. Pauley pled guilty to possession of marijuana and received a $100 fine and had to pay $125 court costs. The second charge of "CDS Manufacture/Distribute" was dropped.
Police also seized guns from Mr. Pauley during the last case. The defense attorney filed a motion requesting return of the weapons. The court agreed pending receipt of an affidavit from the woman claiming to be the owner of the weapons.
Mr. Pauley was incarcerated at the St. Mary's County Detention Center.
The search warrant was executed by members of the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations along with the St. Mary's County Emergency Services Team and the Southern Maryland Information Center (SMIC).