LEONARDTOWN, Md. (June 9, 2011)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office recently released the following incident and arrest reports.
DRUG ARREST: On June 4, deputies responded to Joe Baker Court in Lexington Park for a reported theft from a taxi cab service. When deputies arrived they found Valerie Yvonne Wynette Gross, 38, of Lexington Park, standing outside the passenger door to the taxi van. Valerie Gross was looking through her purse for money to pay the taxi driver. As deputies were speaking with Ms. Gross, they observed two metal smoking devices containing suspected marijuana on the ground by her feet. Further investigation revealed the smoking devices belonged to Ms. Gross. Valerie Gross was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 5, deputies responded to Upland Drive in Avenue for a report of an assault. Investigation revealed Ivan Earl Nealy, 32, of Avenue, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Nealy choked the victim.
DRUG ARREST: On June 6, Deputy David Potter conducted a vehicle stop on a red Suzuki Sidekick for an inoperable tail light on Maryland Route 235 in the area of Old Rolling Road in California. The vehicle operator was identified as Jesse E. Spencer, 26, of Lexington Park. A license check revealed Jesse Spencer's license to drive was suspended. While speaking with Spencer, Deputy Potter detected the odor of Marijuana. A search of Spencer and his vehicle resulted in the recovery of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Jesse Spencer was arrested, charged with possession of Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts) and operating a motor vehicle in Maryland on a suspended license. He was released to the custody of the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
THEFT: On June 6, Deputy William Watters responded to Belk in California for a theft. It was learned that Latoya Renee Young, 22, of Mechanicsville was observed by store staff removing price tags from merchandise. Young was confronted outside the business and found to be in possession of clothing belonging to Belks having a value of $28. Latoya Renee Young was charged on a criminal citation for theft a released pending a court appearance.
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM: On June 7, Registered Sex Offender Cleveland Dwight Hall II, age 31, was served with a St. Mary's County Circuit Court Indictment related to the unlawful possession of a firearm. An investigation by Det./Cpl. W. Raddatz revealed Hall was illegally in possession of a 9mm handgun after having been convicted of an offense which disqualifies him from possessing the handgun. Defendant Hall is currently incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center under no bond.