LEONARDTOWN, Md. (May 9, 2010)—Vice Narcotics detectives in St. Mary's County just concluded a three day operation that targeted indicted active drug distributors. Operation May Flower began on May 6 and concluded on May 8. Detectives were assisted by the United States Marshal Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Team, patrol deputies, the K-9 Division, and Narcotics Support Team members. A summary of the arrests made during the operation follows.
PCP ARREST: A search and seizure warrant was executed on a Hollywood residence as a result of an investigation into the distribution of PCP. A search of the home revealed PCP, PCP-laced tobacco and related paraphernalia. Suspect Francis Michael Barnes, 52 of Hollywood, was arrested and charged accordingly. Additional charges are pending a review with State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz.
COCAINE ARRESTS: During the course of a drug investigation and search for a wanted suspect, detectives responded to the area of Independence Drive in Mechanicsville. Once on the scene there were several suspects that attempted to elude officers. Detectives recovered nearly $10,000 worth of cocaine. The cocaine was in both "crack" and powder form. Also recovered was $2,300 in cash. Arrested were Eric Maurice Chase, 19 of Callaway; Geral Anthony Holt, Jr., 19 of Mechanicsville; Kalvin Jermaine Young, 32 of Mechanicsville; and Gregory Tryman Shingles, a/k/a "69," 24 of Mechanicsville. Additional charges are pending an additional State's Attorney review.
MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION ARRESTS: Information was received that there was a
marijuana distribution point in Leonardtown. As the information was verified and
the investigation continued, Benjamin John Lilly, age 21, was confirmed as being
involved. A Grand Jury Indictment was obtained in the form of a warrant for
Suspect Lilly. Detectives located Suspect Lilly operating a vehicle in the
Leonardtown area and a vehicle stop was conducted. He was placed under arrest
and $2,000 worth of marijuana and $1,500 in cash was located on his person. A
second group of detectives was assisted by the Emergency Services Team and executed a search and seizure warrant on Lilly's Leonardtown home. An additional $800 worth of marijuana, $6,600 in cash, scales and electronics were seized. The electronics were valued at nearly $3,000. Jeffrey Brandon Junge, 21, was arrested on the scene and additional charges against him and Suspect Lilly are pending. While officers searched the home, Richard Lee Mattingly, 22 of Dameron, arrived on the scene and was found to have marijuana on his person.
MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION ARRESTS: A search warrant was executed on a California home related to marijuana distribution. Arrested were Brian Edward Simpson, 37, and Craig Stephen Bretscher, 44, for possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine as well as related paraphernalia. Scales and packaging materials were also located. Additional charges are pending a review with State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz.
MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION ARRESTS: Kese Eman Lyles, 29 of Lexington Park, was identified as a distributor of marijuana. He was recently arrested for Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute. While that indictment was being served, Suspect Lyles was again found to be in possession of marijuana with a quantity indicative of that with the intent to distribute. Suspect Lyles was again indicted. Detectives again arrested Suspect Lyles and he was found to be in possession of marijuana and was charged accordingly. A search warrant was executed on a vehicle that was operated by Lindsey Catherine Decker, 20 of Hollywood. Suspect Decker was identified as being part of Suspect Lyles' distribution network. A search of the vehicle and her home revealed marijuana, a handgun and additional related paraphernalia. Shaun Michael Cook, 22 of Hollywood, was arrested at the residence. Additional charges are pending a State's Attorney review related to multiple suspects.
POSSESSION OF COCAINE, MARIJUANA: Joseph Kenneth Abell, Jr., 43 of Hollywood, was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana. Suspect Abell was found to be in possession of these items when he encountered detectives during a drug investigation. Additional charges are pending.
FELONY GRAND JURY INDICTMENT ARRESTS: The following persons were arrested for felony Grand Jury indictments. These charges were for distribution and possession with the intent to distribute various Controlled Dangerous Substances.
-- Jamie Marie Stroud, 26 of Mechanicsville, two counts of Distribution of Morphine.
-- Joseph Michael Defilippo, 22 of Mechanicsville, Distribution of Prescription Medication.
-- Tanya Anita Hall, 33 of Lexington Park, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
-- Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a "Kojak," 51 of Lexington Park, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute and Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine.
-- Samuel Tony Bryant Jr., 23 of Lexington Park, was arrested on six separate warrants. Failure to Appear on two assault charges, one attempted armed robbery, property destruction, one child support warrant and one warrant for Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
-- Jonathan Lamar Butler, 22 of Mechanicsville, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute.
-- Scott Henry Ebelke, 39 of Mechanicsville, Manufacturing Marijuana.
-- James Roshawn Garrett, 28 of Hollywood, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of a Handgun, and Transporting a Handgun While Trafficking Drugs.
-- Twyhanda Dwanae Gough, 32 of Lexington Park, Distribution of Marijuana.
-- Andrew Mark Hamlet, 28 of Mechanicsville, two counts Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Daniel Thomas Hayden, 56 of Mechanicsville, two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Prescription Medication.
-- Joseph Knott, 24 of Lexington Park, Distribution of Marijuana.
-- Michael Joseph Miles II, 22 of California, Distribution of Heroin and Conspiring to Distribute Heroin.
-- John Frederick Miller III, 45 of California, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Craig Wesley Norton, 39 of Lexington Park, Possession with Intent to Oxycodone.
-- Michael Winfield Proctor, 52 of Lexington Park, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Lester Marvel Scriber, 38 of Callaway, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Heather Renee Smith, 26 of Mechanicsville, Conspiring to Distribute Oxycodone.
-- Jamar Tercell Somerville, a/k/a "Fatty," 18 of Lexington Park, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of Handgun while Trafficking Drugs. The recovered handgun in this case was stolen.
-- Michael Shane Swales, 37 of California, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Woody Nathaniel Ward, a/k/a "Big," 33 of Mechanicsville, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute.
-- Randy Allysius Wathen, 21 of Leonardtown, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
-- James Nathaniel Watkins, 26 of Great Mills, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Handgun while Trafficking Drugs.
-- Raisa Jakell White, 23 of Lexington Park, Introducing Controlled Dangerous Substances into a Correctional Facility.
-- Demetrius Anthony Williams, 21 of Great Mills, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
-- Anthony Marquel Woodard, 29 of Lexington Park, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- John Wendell Young, 36 of Lexington Park, two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
-- Chester "Leroy" Young, 45 of Lexington Park, Distribution of Cocaine.
-- Joseph Francis Yates, a/k/a "Jo Jo," 51 of Mechanicsville, Distribution of Cocaine.
ILLEGAL GAMBLING AT ST. MARY'S LANDING RESTAURANT: As several cases were concluded, so was the investigation into illegal gambling at the St. Mary's Landing Restaurant. William Douglas Hill, Jr., 72 of Mechanicsville, and Roger Lee Benfield, 61 of Mechanicsville, were charged with several gaming and gambling violations.