LEONARDTOWN, Md. (August 18, 2010) - The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) released the following incident and arrest reports. BCI is an investigative team comprised of detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown.
ARREST IN THEFT OF COPPER: Since July, BCI has been conducting an investigation into burglaries resulting in the theft of copper from a business in the Leonardtown area. On August 11, investigators developed John Michael Wood, 23, of Leonardtown,
pictured at left, as a suspect in the investigation. On August 13, information was obtained which resulted in a search and seizure warrant being executed at Wood's residence on Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown. The investigation was reviewed with the State's Attorney's Office and it was determined probable cause existed for the arrest of Wood. Wood was arrested and charged with 3 counts of Burglary 2nd Degree and Theft over $1,000 and less then $10,000. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending. Anyone with information is asked to contact TFC. L. Nims at 301-475-4200 Ext. 1947 or Sgt. Jeffery Jones at 301-475-4200 Ext.1963. Individuals can also text message information at TIPS 239 plus your message to 274-637 (CRIMES) or by calling Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333.
CHILD ABUSE ARREST: On August 13, BCI was notified of a critically injured 7-month-old female from Mechanicsville. The child had been transported from a local area medical facility to the Children's National Hospital Center with an unknown life threatening condition. BCI detectives conducted a joint investigation with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to determine the cause and nature of the injuries. During the investigation, Marcus Corwell Hall, 25 of Mechanicsville,
pictured above, was developed as a suspect for child abuse. The investigation was reviewed with the State's Attorney's Office and it was determined probable cause existed for the arrest of Marcus Hall for Child Abuse in the First Degree Resulting in Severe Physical Injury. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE RESULTS IN INFANT DEATH: On August 8, BCI was notified of a critically injured infant, Brooke Leigh Hart, a 4-month-old female, from Lexington Park. Brooke had been flown from a local area medical facility to the Georgetown University Hospital with an unknown life threatening condition. Doctors treating the child became concerned that her injuries were a result of child abuse and not of a naturally occurring injury or illness. BCI detectives conducted a joint investigation with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to determine the cause and nature of the injuries. On the evening of August 12, the child passed away and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the District of Columbia for a post mortem examination. Injuries consistent with child abuse were noted during the examination. On August 13, the father, Brian T. Hart, 21 of Lexington Park,
pictured above, was developed as a suspect in the death. The investigation was reviewed with State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz and probable cause existed for the arrest of the suspect for Child Abuse in the First Degree Resulting in Death. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
DRUGS MAILED TO COUNTY JAIL: BCI Vice Narcotics
detectives began a joint investigation with correctional officer staff at the St. Mary's County Detention Center related to possible contraband being delivered. As the investigation concluded it was discovered that Stephanie Lynn Thomas, 36 of Hughesville, had sent two separate greeting cards to the Detention Center to inmate Jacob Steven Traas, 25 of Hollywood. One card contained Adderall and the second contained Suboxone. The pills were reduced to a powdered form and secreted within the card. Both suspects were charged accordingly and are awaiting hearings in the District Court. Detectives were assisted by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Team in executing a search and seizure warrant on a Mechanicsville home. Marijuana, Cocaine and related paraphernalia were received. Suspect Michael Brian Dyson, 36 of Mechanicsville,
pictured above, was arrested. Additional charges are pending a review with State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz.
HOMICIDE SUSPECT EXTRADITED FROM CANADA: On July 30, homicide suspect Benjamin Moore,
pictured at left, wanted in connection in the death of Devon Andrea Baker, waived extradition from Canada and was returned to the United States. Moore was being held in the Niagara County Detention Center in New York pending an extradition hearing from New York. On August 3, Moore waived extradition from New York. Detectives from the BCI traveled to New York, took custody of Moore on August 5, and transported him back to St. Mary's County where he was served with an arrest warrant charging him with second degree murder.