St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Publishes 2023 Community Survey Responses

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 29, 2023) – The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has published all responses to the 2023 Community Survey. The community is invited to access and read the survey results at www.FirstSheriff.com.

The survey's primary objective was to assess citizen satisfaction with the quality of services provided by the Sheriff’s Office services and to gather valuable insights into public safety concerns within the community. The data from the survey has been collated and will serve as a foundation for guiding future decisions and enhancing plans for operation and enforcement strategies.

Sheriff Steve Hall expressed his gratitude to the community: "I want to thank everyone who took the time and thoughtfully answered the survey questions. The information from the survey results will be instrumental in guiding our resource allocations as we work to address and alleviate public safety concerns. We strive daily to meet the needs of our community, provide prompt and professional responses, and, most importantly, continuously improve our processes.”

The survey was made accessible to residents through an online form hosted on the First Sheriff website. Additionally, survey input was sought from community members at various public events, including the St. Mary’s County Fair. The results of the survey will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of law enforcement services within the county.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to enhancing public safety, reducing the fear and incidence of crime, and nurturing public trust. 

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit Seizes Multiple Drugs, a Loaded Rifle, Ballistic Vests and Ammunition

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 28, 2023) – Pursuant to an ongoing joint investigation being conducted by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice Narcotics Unit and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, a search and seizure warrant was executed Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at an apartment in the 22000 block of Iverson Drive, in Great Mills, MD; the resident of the apartment was previously identified as Markell Davian Carter, 28.

During the search, detectives located large quantities of various suspected Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), including multiple pounds of cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, fentanyl, and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), all in sufficient quantities to indicate possession with the intent to distribute. Also located during the search was a loaded rifle, ammunition, and multiple ballistic vests.

Drug and Weapons charges are pending in St. Mary’s County.

Just prior to the execution of the residential search warrant by investigators, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), who also previously obtained search and seizure warrants for Mr. Carter’s person and vehicle, initiated a traffic stop on Carter in Calvert County.  During the search of the vehicle, CCSO Deputies located a loaded handgun that appears to have been modified with a rapid-fire trigger activator (handgun switch), allowing the firearm to fire multiple projectiles with a single press of the trigger, commonly referred to as a “fully automatic firearm.”

Mr. Carter was arrested by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center.

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St. Mary's County Deputy Assaulted During Threat Investigation

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 26, 2023) – On Monday, September 25, 2023, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a threat investigation in Leonardtown, MD, and while interviewing Demetri Kavon Gross, 28, also of Leonardtown, they discovered he had an open warrant through the Maryland State Police for Driving While Suspended.

Deputy First Class Alexander Wynnyk and Deputy First Class Richard Wilhelmi attempted to place Mr. Gross in custody, but the suspect backed away and resisted arrest, and a physical altercation ensued, causing the Deputies to fall into a chain link fence, resulting in damage. Additionally, DFC Wynnyk suffered repeated blows to the head from Mr. Gross’s closed fist.

Following the struggle, Mr. Gross was placed under arrest, transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, and charged with the following offenses:

Felony Assault Second Degree-Law Enforcement Officer
Assault Second Degree
Resist/Interfere with Arrest
Failure to Obey a Lawful Order
Malicious Destruction of Property <$1000

DFC Wynnyk was treated for abrasions and a concussion and released from MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.

Death Investigation

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 25, 2023) – On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to Abell’s Wharf recreation area in Leonardtown for the report of a deceased adult female on the sand near the water’s edge.

 Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) also responded and are conducting an ongoing investigation. At this time, there is no direct evidence of foul play.

 The decedent, identified as Cecelia Louise Garner, 71, has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, MD, for an autopsy.

 Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact Corporal Taylore Nauman at 301-475-4200, ext. 8109, or taylore.nauman@stmaryscountymd.gov.

 

 

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for St. Mary’s County; St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Urges Residents to Prepare

 

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 22, 2023) – The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Mary’s County from late Friday night through Saturday night, and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to begin preparing now and plan to STAY HOME during the storm. Tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain, and storm surges are expected.

Preparations should include having an emergency kit ready with bottled water, flashlights, batteries, prescription medicines, and first aid supplies. Cell phones should be fully charged. Pets should be brought indoors or properly sheltered in safe environments.

 St. Mary’s County Sheriff Steve Hall said, “We are taking this Tropical Storm Warning very seriously, and while we recognize there are significant events taking place throughout the community, we encourage residents to stay off the roads and stay home for their own safety. During your preparations, please remember to check in on your elderly and other vulnerable neighbors. Our Office will be deploying extra personnel throughout the county during this weather event, and I stress that it is best to stay home and stay safe.”

 Please follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, X page (formerly known as Twitter), and www.firstsheriff.com webpage for information throughout the weekend.

 In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

 

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Vehicle Fire in Drayden Results in Discovery of Deceased Individual

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 22, 2023) – On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) responded to a report of a vehicle fire in Drayden, MD. Upon arrival, firefighters from the Second District Volunteer Fire Department reported to Deputies they had extinguished the blaze of a 2011 Ford Ranger and discovered an unidentified deceased male in the driver’s seat.

Authorities from the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal and the SMCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) were called to the location to initiate an investigation.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification.

The Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit has assumed the investigation. Anyone with information related to this event is requested to contact Corporal Shawn Shelko via email at shawn.shelko@stmaryscountymd.gov or by telephone at 301-475-4200, Ext. 8147.

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 Lexington Park Man in Custody Following Pursuit; Charged with Multiple Drug Offenses

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 20, 2023) [JK1] – On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, following a vehicle and foot pursuit, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Deputies apprehended and arrested Ky’ree Truvell Miles, 27, of Lexington Park, Maryland. Miles was observed by Deputy Bradley Kirscht while working the “Slow Down St. Mary’s” initiative in the 21600 block of Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. Deputy Kirscht confirmed Miles had an active arrest warrant for first-degree assault.

 A traffic stop was initiated, and Miles failed to stop his vehicle in an attempt to elude Deputies.  During a short pursuit, Miles’ vehicle struck a curb, and he then fled on foot. Following a brief foot chase, Miles was apprehended by Deputies Preston Dixon, Austin Welch and Joseph Senatore, who recovered multiple small baggies and currency Miles discarded while fleeing. The recovered bags were identified as containing suspected crack cocaine, which were packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution.

 Corporal Lacey Smith and her K9 partner Kyra were also instrumental in the drug arrest.

 Miles has been charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia and is being held at the St. Mary’s Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.