Off-road Vehicles Prohibited on Streets and Public Property

Tire tracks at a Spring Ridge Middle School ball field

A dirt biker at Lancaster Park

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that unregistered motorcycles, dirt bikes, golf carts, off-road and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not permitted on roadways and private property, by the Maryland Transportation Article.

Riding off-road vehicles in residential and prohibited areas puts yourself and others at risk of a collision, which could result in personal injury or death. Wear a helmet and ride in permitted off-road areas. 

ATVs may only be operated on private property – and only with the permission of the property owner.

Off-road vehicles, golf carts, and ATVs may not be operated on:

-Public roadways

-Bicycle lanes

-Three Notch Trail

-Sidewalks

-Power lines or utility right-of-ways

-St. Mary's County parks

Any vehicle that is not registered in the state of Maryland may not be driven on public highways.

Off-road vehicles are for use on private property only, with the permission of the owner/agent. According to Maryland Vehicle Law, they cannot be operated on public sidewalks, public roads, streets or highways.

In addition to any other traffic violations observed, the following is a list of charges that an operator faces if observed operating an off-road vehicle in violation of the law:

13-402 Driving unregistered motor vehicle: $290

16-101a (Driving, Attempting to Drive) motor vehicle on a highway without required license and

authorization: Must Appear Citation and five points assessed on a license

16-101b Operating a (moped, motor scooter) on the highway without required license or permit:

Must Appear Citation and five points ... A "motor assisted" and "motor driven" moped or scooter can be operated on the highway if the operator has a valid license or a moped permit obtained through the MVA

17-107 Driving Uninsured Vehicle: Must Appear Citation and five points

* Golf carts are permitted to be operated on a St. Mary's County highway only in the community of Golden Beach/Patuxent Knolls with the following conditions:

(A) A person who operates a golf cart on a county highway in the community of Golden Beach

Patuxent Knolls, St. Mary's County without registration as authorized under 13-402 (C)(13)

of this article:

(1) May Operate the golf cart only:

(I) On a county highway on which the maximum posted speed limit does not exceed

35 miles per hour;

(II) Between dawn and dusk; and

(III) If the golf cart is equipped with lighting devices as required by the administration

(2) Shall keep the golf cart as far to the right of the roadway as feasible; and

(3) Shall possess a valid driver's license

An individual issued a Must Appear Citation will receive a court date in the mail and must see the judge; there is no preset fine.

The Sheriff's Office would like to add the following safety tips when operating off-road vehicles:

1. Ride with a partner or friend.

2. Let someone know where you are riding and when you are expected to return.

3. Familiarize yourself with the motor vehicle you are operating.

4. Operate the vehicle in an ATV park or areas designated for off-road vehicles and ATVs

* An individual driving an off-road vehicle in violation of the Maryland Transportation Article may face the consequence of having the vehicle towed and stored by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

Student Counselors Needed for Camp DARE

Camp DARE this year is still on, scheduled for Aug. 10-14, 2020 for incoming 5th- and 6th-grade students, to be held at Leonardtown Middle School. Junior counselors (age 12-14) are still needed and the deadline to apply is May 8, 2020. 

Camp DARE is limited to 100 students and the deadline to sign up your child is June 1, 2020.  

Applications can be found at https://www.firstsheriff.com/divisions/special-operations/dare/default 

On View Arrests

On View Arrests:

Assault/Violate Protective Order- On April 22, 2020, Dep. Jerew responded to the 46300 block of Columbus Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Phillip Desales Miles, age 29 of La Plata, assaulted the victim by grabbing the victim by the neck. The victim has an active protective order against Miles which prohibits Miles from contacting the victim by any means. Miles was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Violate Protective Order.  Later that same day, Dep. Haas responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for the reported protective order violation. Investigation determined Miles had attempted over 20 phone calls to the victim from the detention center's phone system. Miles was charged with Violate Protective Order. CASE# 25204-20

Phillip Desales Miles

Assault- On April 23, 2020, Dep. Baker responded to the 21800 block of Ronald Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Jacqueline Shay Adams, age 20 of Lexington Park, scratched the victim's neck and damaged the victim's property by throwing the victim's property onto the ground. Adams was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 25233-20

Jacqueline Shay Adams

Information Sought in Assault and Vandalism

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the community in an assault and vandalism investigation. On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 12:50 pm, the victim was assaulted by three black males at the air pump at the Wawa convenience store in Lexington Park. The victim’s vehicle was also damaged during the incident. The suspects were seen traveling in a black or dark blue Crown Victoria car with silver rims.

Anyone with information about the suspects or this incident is asked to call Deputy Courtney Edwards at 301-475-4200, ext. 78003 or email courtney.edwards@stmarysmd.com. Case # 20911-20

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

On View Arrests/Warrants/Criminal Citations/Juvenile Referrals

On View Arrests:

Assault- On April 14, 2020, Dep. Baker responded to the 46300 block of Columbus Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Phillip Desales Miles, age 29 of La Plata, assaulted the victim by striking the victim in the face with a closed fist, causing visible injury to the victim. Miles was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 23349-20

Phillip Desales Miles 

Assault- On April 15, 2020, Dep. Fretwell responded to the 22200 block of Archer Street in Leonardtown, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Juan Carlos Perez-Morales, age 36 of Leonardtown, assaulted the victim by striking the victim in the head, causing visible injury. Perez-Morales was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 23472-20

Juan Carlos Perez-Morales 

Violate Protective Order- On April 17, 2020, Cpl. Hartzell responded to the 29900 block of Three Notch Road in Charlotte Hall, for the reported disturbance. Investigation determined Tasco Cassandra Plater, age 51 of St. Leonard, confronted the victim at a business and began yelling at the victim. Plater also approached the victim outside and attempted to take a picture of the victim. There is a valid court order prohibiting Plater from contacting the victim by any means. Plater was arrested and charged with Violate Protective Order. CASE# 23870-20

Tasco Cassandra Plater 

Trespassing/Fail to Obey- On April 19, 2020, Dep. Luffey responded to the 21700 block of South Coral Drive in Lexington Park, for a premise check. Located on the property was Oliver Henry Woods, age 59 of no fixed address. Woods has been served trespass notices for the property previously. Woods attempted to walk past officers on the scene and would not comply with verbal orders. Woods was arrested and charged with Trespass: Government House, Failure to Obey Reasonable-Lawful Order, and Intoxicated-Public Disturbance. CASE# 24258-20

Oliver Henry Woods 

Warrants:

04/18/20- Nichole Corine Underwood, age 29 of Anne Arundel- Violation of Probation/Assault 2nd Degree by Cpl. Seyfried# 217. CASE# 24168-20

Nichole Corine Underwood 

04/19/20- Gene Ralph Rose Jr., age 53 of Hollywood- Assault 2nd Degree and Violate Protective Order by Dep. Wilhelmi# 365. CASE# 22760-20

Gene Ralph Rose Jr. 

Criminal Citation:

04/19/20- Sara Marie Tippett, age 19 of Mechanicsville- Theft by Dep. Hill# 361. CASE# 24372-20

Juvenile Referrals:

03/18/20- Female age 15 of Lexington Park- Assault 2nd Degree by DFC. Budd# 325. CASE# 56571-20

03/19/20- Female age 15 of Lexington Park- Theft by Dep. Gardiner# 369. CASE# 16744-20

03/20/20- Male age 13 of Mechanicsville- Assault 2nd Degree and Malicious Destruction of Property by Dep. Walker# 366. CASE# 16805-20

03/21/20- Male age 15 of Lexington Park- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Jerew# 372. CASE# 5877-20

03/24/20- Female age 13 of Leonardtown- Assault 2nd Degree and Malicious Destruction of Property by Dep. Walker# 366.

03/26/20- Male age 17 of Lusby- 4th Degree Sex Offense and Assault 2nd Degree by Cpl. Teague# 249. CASE# 12844-20

03/27/20- Male age 16 of Ridge- Robbery, Theft, and Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Schell# 359. CASE# 18752-20

03/28/20- Female age 16 of Lexington Park- Robbery, Theft, and Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Schell#359. CASE# 18764-20

Identity Needed for Theft Suspect

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured in a theft investigation. On Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 2:05 pm, the suspect walked out of the Lexington Park Foot Locker store with a pair of shoes without paying for them. The suspect is described as a white female, about 5’ 5” tall, approximately 170 lbs with several face piercings, wearing a black hooded coat with fur around the hood and black leggings. She was last seen getting into a newer model silver Toyota Camry driven by another person.

Anyone with information about the identity of the person or this incident is asked to call DFC Shawn Shelko at 301-475-4200, ext. 78147 or email shawn.shelko@stmarysmd.com. Case # 12671-20

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

Arrests Made in Armed Robbery

On April 14, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 21800 block of FDR Boulevard in Lexington Park, for the reported robbery. Investigation determined the two victims were seated in a vehicle when two suspects, known to the victims, entered the backseat of the vehicle. Shortly after entering the vehicle, one suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the victims. The suspects obtained money and stole personal property from the victims before fleeing the area on foot.

One suspect, a male age 16 of Leonardtown, was located hours after the incident and was arrested. Gavon Phillip Jones, age 18 of Lexington Park, was located on April 16, 2020, and arrested. Both suspects were transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center and charged with the following:

Armed Robbery

Robbery

Assault First Degree

Assault Second Degree

Theft

Handgun Use/Crime of Violence

The juvenile suspect in this incident was charged as an adult and has been released from the detention center on pretrial supervision. Due to a recent change in Maryland law the name and photograph of the juvenile will not be released until the court makes a finding at the waiver hearing to determine the jurisdiction of this case. Jones remains incarcerated at the detention center on a no bond status.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective James Bare  at (301) 475-4200 extension 78118 or by email at James.Bare@stmarysmd.com.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637).  Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

For official news and information, follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter @firstsheriff.

Gavon Phillip Jones 

Identity Needed for Vandalism Suspect

April 17, 2020 update: The suspect has been identified. Thank you. 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is seeking the identity of the person shown in a video in a vandalism investigation. On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 10:51 pm, a suspect is seen defacing the exterior of Leonardtown High School in Leonardtown.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to call Deputy Courtney Edwards at 301-475-4200, ext. 78003 or email courtney.edwards@stmarysmd.com.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.