LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 10, 2009) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, ILLEGAL DRUGS: On March 5 Deputy J. Vezzosi responded to Mowry Lane in Mechanicsville for a report of a domestic assault. As he arrived he observed Brian Thomas Cooksey, 37 of Newburg, leaving residence in a Honda Civic. Believing Mr. Cooksey may be involved in the domestic assault, Deputy Vezzosi stopped Cooksey's vehicle. As Deputy Vezzosi was speaking with Cooksey he observed in plain view a suspect controlled dangerous substance (CDS) smoking device. Cooksey was arrested for possession of CDS paraphernalia. Search incident to Cooksey's arrest revealed a metal pill container containing two different types of pills (Oxycodone and Lorazepam). Additional CDS was found on Cooksey's person. The investigation into the domestic assault revealed Brain Cooksey was in a verbal argument with the victim which lead to a physical assault when the victim, who was standing outside of Cookey's vehicle, got her hand stuck in the seatbelt and Cooksey started to drive off, dragging her approximately 10 feet until she fell. Cooksey was charged with second degree assault, five counts of possession of a CDS (Marijuana, Methadone, Oxycodone, Lorazepam, Alprazolam), possession of drug paraphernalia and removal of required prescription label on CDS.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On March 9 Deputy M. Boyer responded to Beechwood Court in California for a report of a domestic assault in progress. Investigation revealed Dustin Richard Cushman, 22 of California, was involved in a verbal argument which escalated into a physical assault when Cushman choked the victim. Cushman was arrested and charged with second degree assault.