Motor Vehicle Collision-Lexington Park

On February 7, 2019, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 19200 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles. The Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation. 

Preliminary investigation determined a 2008 Honda Civic operated by Alexa Taylor Smith, age 23 of Owings, was traveling southbound on Three Notch Road in the area of King James Parkway.  Smith attempted to make a U-turn at King James Parkway, and was struck by a 2013 Ford Escape traveling southbound, operated by John Wesley Lonkert, age 39 of Scotland, Maryland. After being struck, Smith’s vehicle entered the northbound lane where it was struck by a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe operated by Joseph Dennis Spalding, age 58 of Hollywood, Maryland. Smith and a passenger were transported to an area trauma center, and a juvenile in Smith’s vehicle was transported to Children’s Hospital for treatment.  Lonkert was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital with incapacitating injuries. 

At this time, driver error appears to be the contributing factor in the collision. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading to the collision, are asked to contact Deputy First Class John Davis at (301) 475-4200 extension *8015 or by email at John.Davis@stmarysmd.com.

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

                                              

Mechanicsville Crash Under Investigation

Feb. 18, 2019 update: The driver of a vehicle in a collision on Feb. 7, 2019 passed away yesterday, Feb. 17, 2019. The parents of Kyle Andrew Capps, 20 of Mechanicsville, would like to share with the public that several of his organs were successfully harvested and donated so that others may continue to live.


On Feb. 7, 2019 at 8:09 p.m., St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a single vehicle into a tree. Units arrived on the scene to find a Ford Focus had left the roadway and struck a tree, trapping the driver. Fire and EMS personnel removed the driver from the vehicle and the St. Mary’s County Collision Reconstruction Unit members were called to the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2009 Ford Focus, operated by Kyle Andrew Capps, 20 of Mechanicsville, was traveling southbound on Thompsons Corner Road. The vehicle had just negotiated a sharp curve in the area of Bethel Church Road when the operator lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed the centerline and ran off the northbound edge of the road where it struck a tree, trapping the driver inside.

The driver was transported from the scene to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown and then transferred to Washington Hospital Center for further treatment.

At this time, speed appears to be a contributing factor in the collision. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading up to the crash are asked to contact Cpl. Brian Connelly at 301-475-4200, ext. *8031 or email brian.connelly@stmarysmd.com.

On View Arrests/Warrants/Criminal Citation

On View Arrests:

Drug Arrest-  On January 29, 2019, Dep. Fenwick conducted a traffic stop in the 27700 block of Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville.  The operator of the vehicle was identified to as Joseph Patrick Collins IV, age 19 of Mechanicsville.  Dep. Fenwick smelled the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle as well as observed a container of suspected marijuana in the vehicle.  Search of the vehicle yielded four pills, suspected Alprazolam, and suspected marijuana greater than 10 grams.  Collins was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana Greater than 10 grams, and two counts of Possession of CDS-Not Marijuana.  CASE# 6009-19

Joseph Patrick Collins IV 

Assault-  On January 30, 2019, DFC. Muschette responded to the 21700 block of North Essex Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported assault.  Contact was made with the victim who advised Misty Ann Morgan, age 27 of Lexington Park, struck the victim in the face, and also dragged the victim by the victim's hair down a set of stairs.  Injury was observed to the victim, and Morgan was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree.

Misty Ann Morgan

Stolen Vehicle-  On January 31, 2019, Dep. Chase responded to the 20800 block of Flour Mill Court in Lexington Park, for the report of an individual in the area attempting to break into vehicles. A witness advised an individual, later identified as Travis Dimitri Smoot, age 31 with no fixed address, drove a truck into the area, and parked the vehicle partially in the roadway and partially in a yard. Smoot was then observed walking the neighborhood and attempting to enter multiple vehicles. Dep. Chase canvassed the area and located Smoot, and the truck he was operating.  A check of the truck indicated it had been reported stolen. Smoot was also found to have gift cards, loose change, and other items that had possibly been stolen from vehicles on his person. Smoot was arrested and charged with Motor Vehicle/Unlawful Taking and Rogue and Vagabond.  CASE# 5571-19

Travis Dimitri Smoot 

Assault-  On February 1, 2019, Dep. Hersh responded to the 41600 block of Shadrick Street in Leonardtown, for the reported assault.  Investigation determined Daniel Bernard Underwood, age 61 of Leonardtown, repeatedly struck the victim in the head with his fist.  Visible injury was observed to the victim and Underwood was arrested.  Underwood began yelling and making threats while outside on the way to Dep. Hersh's vehicle, and continued to be disruptive throughout the investigation.  Underwood was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Disorderly Conduct. CASE# 6588-19

Daniel Bernard Underwood 

Warrants:

01/30/19-  Robin Anne Laabs, age 47 of Lexington Park, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Escape 2nd Degree-Condition of Release by DFC. Holdsworth# 305.  CASE# 4352-19

Robin Anne Laabs 

01/30/19-  Donald Levi Warrick Jr., age 30 of Lexington Park, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Escape 2nd Degree-Condition of Release by Dep. Payne# 320.  CASE# 6084-19

Donald Levi Warrick Jr. 

01/30/19-  Adam Silcott Roberts, age 26 of Lexington Park, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Assault 1st and 2nd Degree by DFC. Muschette# 303.  CASE# 6155-19

Adam Silcott Roberts 

01/31/19-  Sherry Lynn King, age 43 of California, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Theft by DFC. Molitor# 304.  CASE# 45593-18

Sherry Lynn King 

01/31/19-  Robert Lee Jupiter III, age 37 of Chaptico, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for FTA/Child Support by Dep. Sidorowicz# 328.  CASE# 6438-19

Robert Lee Jupiter III 

02/01/19-  Marcus Anthony Mills, age 31 with no fixed address, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Firearm Use/Felony-Violent Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, Dangerous Weapon-Intent/Injure, Assault 2nd Degree, Handgun on Person, and Assault 1st Degree by Cpl. Teague# 249.  CASE# 48516-18

Marcus Anthony Mills 

02/01/19- Christine Rochelle Dyson, age 26 of Bushwood, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear by Dep. Budd# 325.  CASE# 6545-19

Christine Rochelle Dyson 

02/01/19-  Jermaine Stanley Greenwell, age 27 of Great Mills, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation by Dep. Budd# 325.  CASE# 6550-19

Jermaine Stanley Greenwell 

Criminal Citation:

1/29/19-  Joey Alan Herbert, age 26 of California, was charged with Theft via Criminal Citation by Cpl. Steinbach after he took an item from the McKay's store located on Merchants Lane in Leonardtown.  CASE# 5888-19 (No Photograph Available)

Update: Theft Suspect Identified

Update: The suspect has been identified. 

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured. On Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 at 4:20 p.m., the suspect was exiting the Giant Food Store in California with merchandise, which he tried to hide under his camouflage jacket. When he was confronted by a Giant employee, the suspect began to run and while fleeing dropped the merchandise.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to call Cpl. Alvin Beishline at 301-475-4200, ext. *8019 or email alvin.beishline@stmarysmd.com. CASE# 6599-19  

Sheriff's Office Sergeant Trains Canine Teams in the Middle East

Sgt. Todd Fleenor and canine teams in the United Arab Emirates

Sgt. Todd Fleenor, K-9 Unit Supervisor of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, recently trained and certified several canine teams in the United Arab Emirates.

Sgt. Fleenor is a Master Canine Trainer for the International Police Work Dog Association. That organization requested that Sgt. Fleenor travel to the UAE to certify 15 canine teams in the area of narcotics detection for the country’s Federal Customs Authority. It is a new program for the country and its officials requested an evaluation and certification of the initiative.

For three days, Sgt. Fleenor conducted narcotics certifications in the areas of building searches, vehicle searches and open-area searches. He also toured the canine center and was given a detailed presentation of the plans and expectations of their program.

After completing certifications and evaluations, Sgt. Fleenor presented information from the International Police Work Dog Association, the narcotics certification and suggestions on how to improve the UAE’s program.

“I am very proud of Sgt. Fleenor and our entire Sheriff’s Office K-9 team,” Sheriff Tim Cameron said. “The men and women of our unit demonstrate excellence on both the national and international stage and I am very pleased that we can share our expertise across the globe.”

Traffic Tip Tuesdays: Passing on the Right

In an effort to promote awareness of state traffic laws, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office posts excerpts of the 2018-2019 edition of The Maryland Vehicle Law Annotated on Tuesdays.

Adhering to the law will make roadways in St. Mary’s County and in Maryland safer for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, horse-and-buggy operators and pedestrians.

#TrafficTipTuesdays

Passing on the right:

Passing on the shoulder while another vehicle is making a left turn became legal in Maryland in 2017.

Sec. 21-304 “The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:

-If the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn

-On a highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and wide enough for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the same direction as the overtaking vehicle

-On any one-way roadway, if the roadway is free from obstruction and wide enough for two more lines of moving vehicles.”

Further, “the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle to the right only if it is safe to do so.”

A driver may not leave the roadway to pass on the right.

Identity Needed for Theft Suspect

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured. On Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 at 12:45 p.m., the suspect exited the Lexington Village Wine and Spirits store in Lexington Park with a bottle of Jim Beam that he had concealed in his jacket. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to contact Deputy Phillip Henry at 301-475-4200, ext. *8012 or email phillip.henry@stmarysmd.com. CASE# 6562-19

Sheriff's Office Memorializes Nolan Scully

Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office today solemnly mark the two-year anniversary of the passing of Nolan Ray Scully, who died on Feb. 4, 2017 at the age of 4.

Born in Leonardtown to parents Ruth Rebecca Rogers Scully and Jonathan Patrick Sully, Nolan bravely fought a rare soft-tissue cancer for a year and a half.

Nolan loved firefighters, police and all emergency first-responders. “Nolan Ray was a fierce Protector, especially to his Mommy,” his 2017 obituary said. “It was no surprise when he became adamant that he wanted nothing more than to be a ‘policeman’ and he became just that being sworn in for the first time” by the Philadelphia Police Commissioner. “Nolan Ray wanted to be a one-of-a-kind policeman,” his obituary said.

Not only was Nolan made an honorary sergeant by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, an active patrol cruiser was decorated after him. That cruiser is parked front and center of the Sheriff’s Office headquarters this week.

Last year, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office established an annual award for noncommissioned officers. The Sgt. Nolan Scully Memorial NCO Award is presented to a sworn sergeant who possesses a selfless and fearless leadership style and consistently displays the attributes of a problem solver, motivator and mentor to their subordinates.

“Nolan’s courage and bravery in battling cancer set an example to us all when we think we’re going through challenges in our own lives,” Sheriff Cameron said. “Despite his battle with cancer, Nolan never lost his innocence, happiness and love for his family and never lost his desire to help those in the community in their time of need when he got older. Nolan would have made a fine addition to the ranks of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, but his spirit will live on so long as we remember his example,” Cameron said.

In May 2018, Sgt. Robert C. Merritt was the first member of the Sheriff’s Office to be bestowed with the Sgt. Rollin Nolan Scully Memorial NCO Award for his professional excellence.

Juvenile Arrests

01/18/19-  Male age 13 from Lexington Park, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Obstruct School Bus Driver by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 2837-19

01/18/19-  Male age 11 from Great Mills, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 3526-19

01/22/19-  Male age 12 from Mechanicsville, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree by Cpl. J. Davis# 197.  CASE# 4359-19

01/22/19-  Female age 12 from Lexington Park, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Obstruct School Bus Driver by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 2837-19

01/22/19-  Female age 12 from Great Mills, was charged with Assault, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4301-19

01/22/19-  Female age 14 of Lexington Park, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4307-19

01/22/19-  Female age 12 of California, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4307-19

01/22/19-  Female age 12 of California, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 43017-19

01/22/19-  Female age 14 of Lexington Park, was charged with Robbery, Theft, and Assault by DFC. Fennessey# 292.  CASE# 65200-18

01/24/19-  Male age 16 of Lexington Park, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Disruption of School Operation by DFC. McCuen# 291.  CASE# 4776-19

01/25/19-  Female age 13 of Lexington Park, was charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree and Disruption of School Operation and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4933-19

01/25/19-  Female age 14 from Lexington Park, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Fail to Obey, and Resisting Arrest by Cpl. Delozier# 160.  CASE# 5031-19

01/25/19-  Female age 14 of Great Mills, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Fail to Obey by Cpl. Delozier# 160.  CASE# 5073-19

01/25/19-  Female age 11 from Lexington Park, was charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4933-19

01/25/19-  Female age 14 of Lexington Park, was charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4933-19

01/25/19-  Female age 14 of Lexington Park, was charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Operation, and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4933-19

01/28/19-  Female age 15 from Lexington Park, was arrested for three counts of Assault 2nd Degree, Disruption of School Activities and Affray by Cpl. Nelson# 202.  CASE# 4933-19

01/29/19-  Male age 13 from Leonardtown, was charged with Disruption of School Activities by Cpl. J. Davis# 197.  CASE# 5823-19

01/29/19-  Male age 15 of Leonardown, was charged with Intentional False Alarm and Disruption of School Operation by Cpl. Delozier# 160.  CASE# 5857-19

Shooting Investigation-Suspect Arrested

UPDATE: On February 1, 2019, Marcus Anthony Mills was located and arrested.

UPDATE: Marcus Anthony Mills, age 31, with no fixed address, has been identified as a suspect in the shooting that took place on December 19, 2018. Mills currently has an open warrant for the charge of Attempted Murder.  Citizens are asked to contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at (301) 475-8008, or 911 if information is known on Mills’ whereabouts. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Austin Schultz at (301) 475-4200 extension *1953 or by email at Austin.Schultz@stmarysmd.com.

                                                    Marcus Anthony Mills                                                  

On December 19, 2018, at approximately 10:30 p.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 46500 block of Expedition Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision.  Upon arrival it was discovered the victim, a 33 year old male from Callaway, was suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was inside his vehicle at the time of the shooting. The victim was transported via helicopter to an area trauma center, and is in stable condition.  The investigation is being continued by the Criminal Investigations Division.  At this time, the shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Austin Schultz at (301) 475-4200 extension *1953, or by email at Austin.Schultz@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.