Corporal Joseph Somerville Jr. Retires

On Friday, May 28, 2021, Corporal Joseph Somerville Jr., officially retired from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office after a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years. During his career Cpl. Somerville served in many capacities. He was a patrol deputy for 17 of his 25 years as well as part of the Motor Unit for the Sheriff's Office and was also an integral part of the HotSpot Community Policing Program at the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office for several years. 

Cpl. Somerville's calm and pleasant demeanor on scenes, as well as his knowledge of St. Mary's County and many of its residents, was an invaluable asset while serving the community and providing guidance to his fellow deputies. 

"We are saddened to see Cpl. Somerville leave our agency," Sheriff Tim Cameron said. "His family has been part of the Sheriff's Office since 1966 when his father Joseph Lee Somerville Senior joined as a deputy and later became Sheriff -- the first black Sheriff in St. Mary's County and Maryland -- in 1977. Thank you, Joey, for your service and dedication in keeping the people of St. Mary's safe." 

"You're always family," Somerville told his colleagues. "I love each and every one of you."  

Cpl. Somerville plans on taking a few months to spend time with family and friends while he adjusts to retired life, before beginning his next journey. 

Sheriff Tim Cameron presenting retired credentials 

Captain Steve Hall presenting motor jacket, badge and boots

Youth Gun Violence Task Force Affects More Arrests

 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Youth Gun Violence Task Force continued its enforcement efforts this week in removing illegal firearms and illicit drugs from the community. 

On Thursday, May 27, 2021, task force members, Emergency Services Team and Sheriff's Office Narcotics detectives served a warrant on Walead "Wade" Othman, 53 of Lexington Park, at the Pax River Hotel. Othman was located along with several Buprenorphine packages, a schedule III controlled dangerous substance. 

On May 21, 2021, another search warrant was executed for Othman at the A&E Motel in Lexington Park. Othman was not present, but located in the room was a quantity of suspected heroin, suspected crack cocaine and manufacturing and packaging materials. 

Othman was arrested on May 27, 2021 and charged with two counts of CDS Intent to Distribute, three counts of CDS Possession: Not Marijuana and CDS Manufacture CDS. 

Walead Othman 

In addition, on May 27, 2021, Narcotics Division Detectives received information that Clay Burris, 23 of California, was in possession of a handgun in a backpack that he was wearing while driving a motorized scooter in the California and Lexington Park areas. 

Detectives located Burris on his scooter on Barefoot Drive in California and as he was stopped, Burris attempted to toss the backpack and was detained. A search of the backpack located a loaded Ruger SR9 9 mm handgun along with three vacuum sealed packages of marijuana. Burris was arrested and charged with Firearm/Drug Traffic Crime; CDS Distribution: Narcotic Marijuana; CDS Possession: Marijuana 10+ grams; Handgun in a Vehicle; Loaded Handgun in a Vehicle; Handgun on Person and Loaded Handgun on Person. 

Clay Andrew Burris 

#StopGunViolence  

Youth Gun Violence Task Force Continues Arrests

 

On Friday, May 21, 2021, the Youth Gun Violence Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant on De’Quan Savien Gantt Sr., age 20 of Lexington Park, for Malicious Destruction of Property. Task force personnel located Gantt at the Patuxent River Hotel in Lexington Park. When deputies attempted to place Gantt under arrest as he exited his vehicle and approached the hotel, Gantt assaulted a deputy and fled on foot through an adjacent shopping center. Prior to being apprehended, Gantt discarded an item into a hedgerow. A K-9 scan of the area resulted in the recovery of loaded Smith and Wesson .380 handgun. Gantt was arrested and charged with the following: 

*Second-Degree Assault on Law Enforcement Officer 

*Second-Degree Assault

*Possession of a Firearm/Minor

*Handgun on a Person 

*Loaded Handgun on a Person 

*Illegal Possession of Ammo

*Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm 

*Handgun in a Vehicle 

*Loaded Handgun in a Vehicle 

*Resisting Arrest 

*CDS Possession: Not Marijuana 

*CDS Possession: Paraphernalia 

*Arrest Warrant for Malicious Destruction of Property 

De'Quan Savien Gantt Sr. 

As the investigation into Gantt’s firearm possession continued, the Youth Gun Violence Task Force and the St. Mary's Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, assisted by the Emergency Services Team with support from Charles County’s Emergency Services Team, executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence located on Flower Drive in Lexington Park. In addition to the recovery of evidence, Durez Lindell Creek was arrested and charged with the following: 

*Illegal Possession of Ammo 

*Two counts of CDS Possession: Cocaine and Oxycodone 

*CDS Possession: Paraphernalia 

Durez Lindell Creek 

Thefts Involving Catalytic Converters

 

May 26, 2021:

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is investigating recent thefts of catalytic converters occurring in the area. Many of the thefts have targeted work vehicles parked in unlit areas with no active video surveillance. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to park vehicles in well-lit areas covered by video surveillance when possible, to discourage thefts.

Anyone with information on the thefts or questions regarding the investigations are asked to contact Lieutenant Eva Jones at (301) 475-4200 extension 78069 or by email at Eva.Jones@stmarysmd.com. Citizens are encouraged to contact 911 for immediate assistance to report in-progress suspicious activity.

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.

 

 

 

 

Youth Gun Violence Task Force Arrests

 

On April 9, 2021, deputies from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office responded to the 46800 block of Rogers Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported fight in progress involving shots fired. The investigation was continued by the Youth Gun Violence Task Force. During the investigation information was obtained that Lakeisha Lashawn Kelson, age 34 of Lexington Park, took possession of the firearm utilized in the incident from the suspect, removing the firearm from the scene. Kelson then transferred the firearm to Talmadge J.V. Jones III, age 48 of Lexington Park. On May 17, 2021, Kelson and Jones were arrested. 

Kelson was charged with the following:

Accessory After the Fact

Handgun on Person

Lakeisha Lashawn Kelson

Jones was charged with the following:

Accessory After the Fact

Handgun on Person

Loaded Handgun on Person

Talmadge J.V. Jones III

Youth Gun Violence Task Force Announced

 

In the continued enforcement efforts against crime committed with firearms in the Lexington Park area, Sheriff Tim Cameron and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office announces the formation and mission of the Youth Gun Violence Task Force that was originally implemented in July 2020.

The reformation of the task force includes reassignment of personnel from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, Special Operations Division and the Criminal Investigations Division. School Resource Officers will later join the task force for the rest of this summer and will return to their assigned schools for the fall session.

To further support this initiative and to expand the approach to community policing, deputies from the Lexington Park COPs Unit have been reassigned to the Patrol Division where they can continue to engage with the community and share their knowledge and experience with Patrol deputies. The Lexington Park COPs Unit will reform after the task force’s work is completed.

The task force’s objectives include high visibility police presence in at-risk neighborhoods to reduce the propensity of gun violence; interdiction enforcement to recover illegally possessed firearms from persons and vehicles; utilize covert investigative strategies to identify suspects involved in gun crimes; review and evaluate both open and closed gun cases for actionable intelligence and engage community members and organizations to solicit information and cooperation.

The four pillars of the task force’s mission are enforcement, prosecution, education and community outreach and violence prevention initiatives which serve to reduce crime and the perception of crime while making the community a better place to live, visit and work.

The Sheriff’s Office will also provide the community with regular updates on the task force’s actions and provide arrest information made by the group.

Community meetings are planned with area businesses, schools and faith-based organizations as the task force continues its work over a three-month period, which will be announced to the public ahead of time. The Sheriff’s Office encourages public participation and input from the community.

“The fundamental goal of this task force initiative is to safeguard the community from the actions of violent criminals who are terrorizing and endangering the safety of our communities,” said Sgt. Shawn Moses, Task Force Coordinator.

While the task force conducts its work, the core values remain professionalism, integrity, respect and sanctity of life, Sheriff Tim Cameron said. “We are making a full commitment of our manpower and resources to dramatically reduce youth gun violence in the Lexington Park community, which in turn will improve the overall quality of life in St. Mary’s County,” he said.

Information and tips regarding gun violence in Lexington Park can be sent to StopGunViolence@stmarysmd.com or call 301-475-4200, ext. 78087. Citizens can also remain anonymous and contact St. Mary’s County 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.

#StopGunViolence

Fatal Crash in Leonardtown Under Investigation

  

On Saturday, May 22, 2021 at approximately 8:10 am, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a single motor vehicle collision in the area of Medley’s Neck Road and Bird Haven Drive in Leonardtown. Due to the severity of the crash, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to assume the investigation.

Preliminary investigation determined a 2005 Ford Ranger truck, driven by William Patrick Hardman, 59 of Leonardtown, was traveling east on Medley’s Neck Road when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a culvert. Hardman was unconscious at the time of police arrival and emergency medical personnel removed Hardman from the vehicle and began life-saving measures. Hardman was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown where he was pronounced deceased.

At this time, alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor in the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or any events leading up to it and has not already provided a statement is asked to call Cpl. Rachael Roszell at 301-475-4200, ext. 78108 or email rachael.roszell@stmarysmd.com.

Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run Returns July 10, 2021

 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is pleased to invite the public to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held this year on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at St. Mary's City. To participant in the walk or run register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPk9T47Kn1TrkuiS4YHCqKWarC9fnhAyyjDLRaLsIbO5KptA/viewform 

The purchase of a shirt, hat or donation of $15 is required to participate with proceeds supporting Special Olympics Maryland. 

Cover the Cruiser in Leonardtown Friday, June 4, 2021

 

Come out Friday, June 4, 2021, to Leonardtown Square from 4-8 pm to support the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Cover the Cruiser event. As part of Leonardtown's First Friday, patrons will be able to donate $1 per square. Patrons sign their name to a small square which is then placed on the police cruiser. The goal is to cover the cruiser within four hours. Proceeds go to support this year's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Maryland Special Olympics. 

Camp D.A.R.E Registration Open

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the return of Camp D.A.R.E. this summer. Camp D.A.R.E will be held from July 26-29, 2021, at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. The camp is free and open to incoming fifth- and sixth-grade students.

The deadline camp D.A.R.E registration is June 7, 2021 and applications can be accessed at https://www.firstsheriff.com/divisions/special-operations/dare/default

Please contact Corporal Jaime Davis at (301) 475-4200 extension 78016 or by email at Jaime.Davis@stmarysmd.com or Corporal Andrew Holton at (301) 475-4200 extension 78034 or by email at Andrew.Holton@stmarysmd.com for questions.

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

 

 

DUI Arrests March-April 2021

                           

03/04/21- Joseph Cornell Young, age 47 of Lexington Park by Dep. Rycyzyn# 350. 

Joseph Cornell Young

03/05/21- Jesse Erin Kuntz, age 26 of Lusby by Cpl. LeFave# 264. (No Photograph Available)

03/12/21- Phillip Michael Welch, age 31 of Lexington Park by DFC. Beyer# 319. 

Phillip Michael Welch

03/12/21- Brian Dennis Neseth, age 33 of St. Inigoes by Cpl. LeFave# 264. (No Photograph Available)

03/14/21- Shopel Koron Briscoe, age 24 of Lexington Park by Dep. Westphal# 337.

Shopel Koron Briscoe

03/16/21- Sean Wesley Pierce, age 36 of Fort Washington by Dep. Wilhelmi# 365. 

Sean Wesley Pierce

03/16/21- David Lee Jordan, age 54 of California by Cpl. Pesante# 153. (No Photograph Available)

03/21/21- Karen Michelle Ramagnano, age 31 of Leonardtown by Dep. Chase #346.

Karen Michelle Ramagnano

03/25/21- Charles Edward Sharp, age 39 of Charlotte Hall by Dep. C. Hill# 381.

Charles Edward Sharp

03/25/21- Jose Fernando Casiano Ramirez, age 30 of Lexington Park by Dep. Mattera# 375. (No Photograph Available)

03/26/21- Karla Rene Goode, age 44 of California by Dep. Dixon# 380.

Karla Rene Goode 

03/27/21- Donis Francisco Herrera Hernandez, age 27 of Lexington Park by Dep. Dixon# 380.

Donis Francisco Herrera Hernandez

04/04/21- Nicholas Alexander Stubbs, age 31 of Valley Lee by Dep. C. Hill# 381.

Nicholas Alexander Stubbs

04/06/21- Zachary Anthony Faxon, age 32 of Lexington Park by Dep. Kril# 382.

Zachary Anthony Faxon 

04/07/21- John Lawrence Brandt, age 34 of Lusby by Dep. Mattera# 375. (No Photograph Available)

04/09/21- Johnathon David Lange, age 33 of California by Dep. Kril3 382.

Johnathon David Lange

04/10/21- Joseph Michael Defilippo, age 33 of Mechanicsville by Cpl. Maloy# 137. 

Joseph Michael Defilippo 

04/13/21- Vicki Gay O'Reilly, age 49 of Mechanicsville by Dep. Haas# 367. 

Vicki Gay O'Reilly

04/15/21- Sheena Lachelle Meredith, age 36 of Mechanicsville by Dep. Wilson# 370. (No Photograph Available)

04/19/21- Raymond Howard Gue, age 67 of Mechanicsville by Cpl. D. Smith# 297.

Raymond Howard Gue 

04/21/21- Charles Russell Mellen Jr., age 43 of Mechanicsville by Dep. Graves# 354. 

Charles Russell Mellen Jr. 

04/22/21- Matthew Robert Jager, age 32 of Chaptico by Dep. Haas# 367.

Matthew Robert Jader

04/23/21- William Richard Sanders, age 31 of Newburg by Dep. Wilhelmi# 365. 

William Richard Sanders

04/24/21- Tyler Montezuma Dacruz, age 27 of Waldorf by DFC. Budd# 325. 

Tyler Montezuma Dacruz

04/25/21- Dennis Michael Gray, age 60 of Florida by Dep. Allebach# 392.

Dennis Michael Gray

04/28/21- Brandon Allen Moore, age 26 of Mechanicsville by Dep. N. Hill# 361. (No Photograph Available) 

On View Arrests/Warrants/Criminal Citation

 On View Arrests:

Assault- On May 17, 2021, DFC. Budd responded to the 21600 block of Great Mill Road in Lexington Park, for the reported disturbance. Investigation determined Anthony Charles Wright, age 52 of Lexington Park, assaulted the victim by grabbing the victim and pushing the victim into a doorjamb, causing visible injury. Wright was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 26346-21

Anthony Charles Wright

Assault- On May 18, 2021, Dep. Rycyzyn responded to the 45900 block of Indian Way in Lexington Park, in attempt to serve an outstanding warrant. Contact was made with Terrell Devantee Atkins, age 22 of Lexington Park. Atkins refused to exit the residence, and barricaded himself inside the residence. Atkins was ultimately taken into custody at which time he kicked a deputy on the arm. Atkins was arrested, served the outstanding warrant and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 26433-21

Terrell Devantee Atkins 

Assault- On May 18, 2021, Cpl. Pontorno responded to the 22700 block of Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown, for the reported assault. Upon arrival Cpl. Pontorno observed Tyshawn James Hall, age 20 of Lusby, with his arms wrapped around the victim, preventing the victim's movement. The victim further advised that prior to arrival of law enforcement, Hall shoved the victim repeatedly. Hall was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 26402-21 

Tyshawn James Hall

Possession of Contraband- On May 19, 2021, Dep. M. Myers responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, for the reported possession of contraband by an inmate. Investigation determined Eric Michael Lawbaugh, age 30 of Avenue, while on work incentive, attempted to bring cigarettes into the facility after emptying the trash. Lawbaugh was charged with Possession of Contraband at Place of Confinement. CASE# 26536-21 

Eric Michael Lawbaugh

Warrants Served:

05/17/21- Jeremiah Lee Logan, age 40 of Lexington Park- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Kril# 382. CASE# 2438-21

Jeremiah Lee Logan

05/17/21- Frankie Lee Messineo, age 29 of Lexington Park- Theft by Cpl. J. Smith# 306. CASE# 26309-21

Frankie Lee Messineo

05/18/21- Terrell Devantee Atkins, age 22 of Great Mills- Violation of Probation/Theft by Dep. Rycyzyn# 350. CASE# 26408-21

Terrell Devantee Atkins 

05/18/21- Nicholas Dangelo Williams, age 24 of Lexington Park- Driving on Suspended License by Dep. Dixon# 380. CASE# 26509-21

Nicholas Dangelo Williams 

05/18/21- Frankie Lee Messineo Jr., age 29 of Lexington Park- Theft by Dep. Rycyzyn# 350. CASE# 26487-21

Frankie Lee Messineo 

Criminal Citation Issued:

05/17/21- Mattea Kaydell Linville, age 20 of Lusby- Trespass: Private Property by Dep. Rycyzyn# 350. CASE# 26314-21