LEONARDTOWN, Md. (October 18, 2011)—The Leonardtown Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) released the following incident and arrest report regarding a traffic stop in Lexington Park which resulted in three people being arrested on drug-related charges.
BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE, DRUG ARREST: On Saturday, October 8 at 9:32 a.m., Tpr. S. M. Morton conducted a traffic stop on a green Chevrolet truck in the area of Maryland Route 235 and Exploration Park Drive for a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the vehicle, the operator was identified as Darrian Lorenzo Johnson, 22, of Saint Inigoes. While speaking with the operator, Tpr. Morton detected the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The remaining passengers in the vehicle were identified and additional law enforcement was requested to respond to the scene for assistance.
Upon the arrival of a St. Mary's County Deputy, Tpr. Morton had the operator of the vehicle exit the vehicle and have a seat on the curb. A passenger of the vehicle, Britain Jeremy Gill, 23, of Clinton, was also asked to exit the vehicle. A search of Mr. Gill's person revealed marijuana in his pants pocket. The Deputy conducting the search also identified an object Mr. Gill was attempting to conceal in his waistband. After several attempts by Mr. Gill to reach into his waistband were halted by the Deputy, Mr. Gill attempted to flee the scene. The Deputy pursued Mr. Gill on foot with Tpr. Morton remaining on the scene of the traffic stop with the remaining suspects and recovered CDS.
The pursuit of Mr. Gill ended when the Deputy located him at the Tides Restaurant where he forced entry in an attempt to avoid capture. Mr. Gill was transported back to the scene of the traffic stop where EMS responded to the treat injuries sustained during the chase. During the chase Mr. Gill discarded a pill bottle containing CDS, which was later recovered a short distance from the scene of the stop.
Following the Deputy and Mr. Gill's return to the scene of the stop, the third passenger of the vehicle, Antonio Wendell Chase, 25, of Lexington Park was asked to exit the vehicle. A search of Mr. Chase revealed CDS and a large sum of U.S. Currency on his person. The items were concealed amongst multiple layers of clothing being worn by Mr. Chase.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted revealing CDS in the center console of the vehicle and on the front passenger seat. All three occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Chase were transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where they processed and charged with Possession of CDS and CDS Paraphernalia.
Mr. Gill was transported to the St. Mary's County Hospital for treatment of an arm laceration. Following treatment, Mr. Gill was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Possession of CDS - Not Marijuana, Possession of CDS -Marijuana, and Second Degree Burglary. All three subjects were held at the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending a bond review with the District Court Commissioner.