Deputies Respond to Threats at Great Mills & Leonardtown HS

Great Mills, Maryland - On September 18, 2014 at 8:25 AM, a male subject called the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and reported people in the school had guns and were going to start shooting at 10:00 AM. The school was immediately contacted and locked down in accordance with SMCPS emergency protocols. Several Sheriff's Office deputies and troopers from the Maryland State Police arrived at the high school within minutes. A perimeter was established and the parking lot was closed to vehicular traffic. The entire school was systematically searched inside and outside for weapons. All lockers were searched as well. At approximately 12:25 PM, the search was complete and no firearms were found. The school returned to normal at short time later.  

Leonardtown, Maryland - On September 18, 2014 at 11:48 AM, a female subject called Leonardtown High School and reported a bomb was going off in the school at 11:30 AM. The school was placed on lockdown in accordance with SMCPS emergency protocols and deputies responded. The caller subsequently called again and indicated the bombs were going to go off. A perimeter was established and the parking lot was closed to vehicular traffic. The entire school was systematically searched by bomb detecting K9s and no devices were found. The school returned to normal at approximately 1:00 PM. 

Additional details will be released as they are developed.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to call the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Duty Officer at 301.475.4040 or CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333 (callers can remain anonymous), or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to '"CRIMES" (274637). 

Deputies Investigating Threat at Great Mills High School

A short time ago, the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a single phone call reporting an unsubstantiated verbal threat at Great Mills High School. As a result, the school was immediately placed on lockdown. Sheriff's Office School Resource Officers, K9 units, and several additional patrol deputies are on the scene. The school will remain on lockdown until the situation is resolved.

St. Mary's Public Schools will be issuing an alert to parents.

Additional information will be released as it is developed.

VICE/NARCOTICS Arrests 9-17-14

Detectives conducted undercover purchases of prescription medication from suspect Ryan Patrick Sullivan (Age 30 of California). As a result of the investigations, St. Mary’s County Grand Jurors indicted suspect Sullivan for “Distribution of Suboxone” and “Distribution of Dilaudid”.

 

Ryan Sullivan

Detectives identified William Terrence Campbell aka “Funk” (Age 38 of Lexington Park) as a distributor of cocaine. Undercover purchases were made and subsequently a search and seizure warrant was executed on his home where a significant amount of drugs were seized. Suspect Campbell was indicted for “Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute” and “Distribution of Cocaine”.

William Campbell

 

James Thomas Tawney (Age 51 of Lexington Park) was indicted for “Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute”, “Possession of Alprazolam with the Intent to Distribute” and “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone”.

 

James Tawney

 

Inquiries should be directed to Captain Daniel D. Alioto, Commander of Vice/Narcotics, at 301-475-4200 x1918.

Arrests 9-17-14

FLEEING AND ELUDING/DRUG POSSESSION/Warrant Service – On September 13, 2014, the Sheriff’s Office received information on the whereabouts of Michael Issiah Harrison, (age 28 of no fixed address), who was wanted on a felony warrant from Charles County for failure to appear in court on a THEFT 10K to 100K charge.

 

Deputy Flerlage and several other deputies responded to the Target parking lot to attempt to locate Harrison. A citizen advised Harrison had just left operating a silver Hyundai passenger vehicle. Deputy Flerlage spotted the vehicle being operated by a male subject matching the description of Harrison. He initiated a vehicle stop and the Hyundai stopped on Route 235 near the Toyota of Southern Maryland dealership. Deputy Flerlage approached the vehicle and attempted to speak to Harrison when suddenly he drove off, made a U turn, and headed northbound on Route 235. Harrison turned into the WaWa parking lot on Rue Purchase Road and came to a stop. Deputy Flerlage quickly approached the vehicle as Harrison opened the vehicle door. Harrison was taken into custody without further incident.

 

Numerous items used to smoke and inject controlled dangerous substances were found in his possession. These items contained suspected cocaine and heroin residue. A check of Harrison’s driver’s license revealed his privilege to drive in Maryland was suspended.

 

Harrison was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS): Not Marijuana (Heroin), Possession CDS: Not Marijuana (cocaine), Fleeing and Eluding Police, and Driving While Suspended. Harrison was also served with 2 criminal summonses from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office stemming from two earlier incidents.  

Michael Harrison

 

ASSAULT – On September 13, 2014, Deputy Potter responded to a residence on Esquisite Court in Lexington Park, for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Danielle Lynnette Adams, 27, of Lexington Park, struck the victim in the head with a hammer. Deputy Potter observed a fresh injury on the victim’s head. Adams was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 2^nd Degree Assault.

 

Danielle Adams

VIOLATION PROTECTIVE ORDER – On September 14, 2014, Corporal Ross responded to a residence on Oxford Court in Lexington Park, for a reported violation of a protective order. Suspect Ashley Marie More, age 30 of Lexington Park, was found at the residence in violation of an active protective order. Moore was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with the violation.

Ashley Moore

 

1^st DEGREE ASSAULT – On September 14, 2014, Deputy L. Johnson responded to a residence on Midway Drive in Lexington Park, for a reported assault. The victim alleged he was with suspect Patrick Shawn Daly, 24, of Lexington Park, when Daly became disorderly inside the Food Lion store in Lexington Park. Daly was intoxicated and acting in a disorderly manner inside the store. He began to argue with store security when the victim intervened and tried to get Daly to leave. When Daly refused to leave, the victim left the store and returned to his residence on Midway Drive. A short time later, Daly arrived at the victim’s residence and began to argue with the victim. Daly suddenly produced a knife and lunged at the victim, cutting him on the abdomen. The victim then fled from Daly on foot and called police. The victim sustained a minor injury. Daly was located and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with 1^st and 2^nd Degree Assault.

 

Patrick Daly

ASSAULT – On September 14, 2014, Corporal E. Johnson responded to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center for a fight between inmates. The investigation revealed suspect Douglas Ivan Cantrell, 27, of Hollywood, struck the victim in the face with his fists. Cantrell was charged with 2^nd Degree Assault DOC Employee (inmate).  

 

Douglas Cantrell

PROSTITUTION – On September 15, 2014, Deputy LaFave responded to a vacant lot on Hermanville Road in Lexington Park, after a citizen reported seeing two subjects parked in the area. Deputy Lafave located both subjects in the woods near the vehicle. The investigation revealed suspect Ashley Nicole Thomas, 27, of Newtown, Virginia, and the male with her were engaging in a sexual act for money. Thomas was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with Prostitution. Charges are pending against the male involved.  

Ashley Thomas

Incident Briefs 9-17-14

BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Spring Ridge Road, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his residence and stole a safe. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Roszell. Case # 49894-14

Detective Asking for HELP to Solve ROBBERY - King Drive

Mechanicsville, Maryland - On September 15, 2014 at 1:28 AM, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office patrol units responded to a private residence on King Drive, for a reported burglary which had just occurred.  Deputies determined two black male suspects, dressed in all dark clothing and wearing face masks, forced entry to the residence.  Both suspects were armed with handguns and ordered the occupants of the residence to the floor.  They demanded to know where specific items were located within the residence.  After being unable to locate the requested items the suspects fled the residence on foot.

The Criminal Investigations Division assumed the investigation and is asking anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Detective Corporal Scott Ruest at 301.475.4200 X 2297.  Callers can also remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at (301) 475-3333, or by texting their tips to “TIP239” plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637).

SMCSO DUI Arrests 9-16-14

Rita Mary Reece, 31, of Callaway, 9-4.14 by Deputy L. Johnson NP

Marlene Jacquline Jackson, 49, of Washington DC, 9-6-14 by Deputy Bowen

Marlene Jackson

John Howard Francis JR., 29, of Hollywood, 9-6-14 by Deputy Roszell

John Francis JR.

Thomas Austin Goldring 3rd, 34, of Lexington Park, 9-7-14 by Deputy Schultz

Thomas Goldring 3rd

Wesley Leonard Morris, 37, of Avenue, 11-8-13 (charged 9-10-14 after receiving blood test results) by Deputy Kerns

Wesley Morris

William Nathaniel Butler, 40, of California, 9-10-14 by Corporal Kirkner

William Butler

Arrests 9-16-14

THEFT – On September 9, 2014, Deputy Cole responded to the Walmart in California for a reported theft. A loss prevention employee reported suspect Joseph Charles Balch, 23, of Lexington Park, attempted to exit the store without paying for a cart full of merchandise. The total amount of the theft was over $890.00. Balch was charged with Theft Under $1,000 by criminal citation.

Joseph Balch

VIOLATION PROTECTIVE ORDER – On September 9, 2014, Deputy L. Johnson responded to a residence on Compass Circle in Lexington Park, for a reported violation of a protective order. An occupant of the residence reported suspect James Nathaniel Watkins, 31, of Lexington Park, was inside the residence in violation of an active protective order preventing contact with another party inside the home. Watkins was located a short distance away and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Violation of Protective Order.

James Watkins

1^ST DEGREE ASSAULT – On September 11, 2014, Corporal Corcoran responded to a residence on Great Mills Road for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect April Florina Oxendine, 40, of Lexington Park, came toward the victim with a knife and struck the victim with a bottle of floor cleaner during an argument. The suspect also pulled out some of the victim’s hair. Oxendine was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. A search of her belongings was conducted at which time various items containing suspected controlled dangerous substance residue was located in her handbag. Oxendine was charged with 1^st Degree Assault, 2^nd Degree Assault, 2 COUNTS Possession CDS Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, and Possession Not Marijuana.   

April Oxendine

VIOLATION PROTECTIVE ORDER – On September 11, 2014, Corporal Corcoran responded to a residence on Gilliam Drive for a reported violation of a protective order. The victim alleged suspect Delvon Vashone Gantt, 34, of Lexington Park, contacted the victim by a social media site in violation of an active protective order. Gantt was located and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Violation Protective Order.

Delvon Gantt

1^ST DEGREE ASSAULT – On September 11, 2014, Deputy Wesner responded to Tulagi Place in Lexington Park, for a reported assault. The investigation revealed suspect Michael Anthony Deep, 21, of Lexington Park, approached the victim who had been rendered unconscious during an earlier assault, and began beating him in the head with his foot. The assault only ended after he was pulled away by bystanders. Deep was located and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with 1^st and 2^nd Degree Assault.  

Michael Deep

Incident Briefs 9-16-14

9-15-14 BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim, who resides in Bay Ridge, reported unknown suspect(s) entered is unlocked vehicle and stole property. Case #49564-14

9-15-14 THEFT - Unknown suspect(s) stole several road signs from a construction site on Point Lookout Road in Park Hall. Case remains open. Case #49592-14

9-16-14 THEFT - A victim, who resides in the 25000 block of Mechanicsville Road, reported unknown suspect(s) siphoned gas from her vehicle. Case #49684-14

CID Charges Second Burglary SUSPECT

On September 15, 2014 at 9:51 AM, a second suspect was arrested related to the burglary of a local business in Mechanicsville.  On September 3, 2014, the burglary case was presented to a St. Mary’s County Grand Jury.  The Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Donald E. Moore, age 50, of Mechanicsville, with 1st Degree Burglary, Conspire to Commit 1st Degree Burglary, 2 counts of Theft $10,000 to $100,000, Possession of Stolen Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Firearm after conviction of Disqualifying Crime.

Donald Moore

 

Moore was arrested on the Circuit Court warrant and incarcerated in the Detention Center under No Bond.

Original Press Release:                                                                    

Mechanicsville, Maryland - On March 27, 2014 Sheriff’s Office patrol units responded to a  business for the report of a burglary.  The victim/owner stated unknown person(s) forced entry to his business and stole several pieces of equipment.  The Criminal Investigations Division was contacted and assumed the investigation.

Following a lengthy investigation, detectives were able to identify a suspect in the burglary and recover several pieces of the stolen equipment.

Detectives located and arrested William J. Chialastri, age 35, of Baltimore, charging him with 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft $10,000 to under $100,000 and Theft $1,000 to under $10,000.  Chialastri appeared before a District Court Commissioner and was released on personal recognizance.