LEONARDTOWN, Md. (August 27, 2012)—The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) today released the following incident and arrest reports.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: Detectives arrested Travis O'Neil Johnson on an open felony drug indictment for Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
STRONG ARM ROBBERY, THEFT: Detectives indicted John Thomas Heiston, 29, for Strong Arm Robbery and Theft. Suspect Heiston forcibly removed the victim's money after the victim had withdrawn funds from an ATM. Suspect Heiston is currently incarcerated on a host of other charges.
DRUG SALES FOR SEX/CASH: Detectives began an investigation into possible drug activity at a Great Mills home. During the investigation it was found that at least one female inmate from the St. Mary's County Detention Center was visiting this home in violation of her work release status. The target of the investigation, Michael Hawthorne Woodland, 68, was positively identified as the person selling drugs from the residence. A search and seizure warrant was executed on the home. Morphine, Hydrocodone, marijuana three firearms, three vehicles, and nearly $1,100 in cash were seized. It was discovered that the suspect was not only selling drugs for cash, but trading pills for sex. Suspect Woodland is receiving state and federal subsistence. Notification will be made to those entities related to his violation of receiving those funds. Furthermore, Suspect Woodland was utilizing the identity of deceased persons through the Motor Vehicle Administration in order to register and title vehicles to conceal his ownership. The female that was observed at the home had her work release status violated and detectives are working with jail staff as the investigation continues. The inmate is believed to have smuggled pills into the facility during her work release status and provided them to at least two other inmates.
PROSTITUTION: Laura Elizabeth Thomas, A/K/A Star Thomas, 20, traveled to St. Mary's County with a male subject for the purpose of enticing a 17-year-old female into prostitution. The victim met the suspects on the internet and detectives found that they had planned to take the female outside the county to prostitute for the male. The female victim was able to get out of the vehicle and get to a home where she notified police. Both suspects were indicted and Suspect Laura Thomas fled the State. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Capital Area United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. The Marshal's Task Force was able to locate Suspect Thomas in the State of Indiana. Her extradition back to St. Mary's County was approved by the State's Attorney.
SELLING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: Brandon Todd Winter, 21, of Upper Marlboro, was attending school in St. Mary's County when he was identified as selling prescription medication. Several undercover purchases were made by detectives from Suspect Winters. He was indicted and subsequently arrested.
INDECENT EXPOSURE: On August 17, police responded to the St. James neighborhood for the report of a subject exposing himself to two juveniles in the area. The incident was briefed during the weekly CompStat meeting and BCI assumed the investigation. On August 24, detectives from the BCI Special Victims Unit identified the suspect and arrested Allan W. Nelson, 49, of Lexington Park. Nelson was charged with two counts of Indecent Exposure and incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center. Nelson was later released on personal recognizance by the District Court Commissioner.
Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned.