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 Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at 12:25 pm, the victim unknowingly dropped a pocketbook on the sidewalk in front of Fred's Liquors in Charlotte Hall. The pictured male exited the store, picked up the pocketbook and left in a white SUV. 

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to called Deputy Nicholas Hill at 301-475-4200, ext. 78078 or email nicholas.hill@stmaryscountymd.gov. Case # 65453-22 

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.

Home Invasion in Great Mills Under Investigation

 

Jan. 11, 2023 update: Detectives with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division located and arrested Wade Joshua Braithwaite, age 29 of Lexington Park, on Tuesday afternoon.

Braithwaite was charged with Home Invasion; Armed Robbery; First-Degree Assault; First-Degree Burglary; Robbery; Second-Degree Assault; Handgun on Person; Firearm Use in Felony/Violent Crime; Theft: $100 to under $1,500; three counts of CDS Possession; Possession of Contraband in a Place of Confinement; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute and two counts of CDS: Large Amount.

Braithwaite remains incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.

Original Release: On Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at 1:26 am, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 45900 block of Fox Chase Drive in Great Mills for the reported burglary. Preliminary investigation determined that two black male suspects entered a residence, armed with a firearm.

The suspects assaulted the victim, took property and fled from the residence. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Deputy Allison Mattera at 301-475-4200, ext. 78124 or email allison.mattera@stmaryscountymd.gov.

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.


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Sheriff Hall Expands School Resource Officer Program Into Elementary Schools

 

Cpl. Julie Yingling 

Sheriff Steven A. Hall is proud to announce the expansion of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer program into the county’s public elementary schools.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office provides School Resource Officers at the three public high schools and four public middle schools in St. Mary’s County. This week, Cpl. Julie Yingling, a 25-year veteran of the agency, was added as a School Resource Officer to serve at the 19 public elementary schools in St. Mary’s County on a rotating basis.

“It’s the one thing in the School Resource Officer program that needed to be addressed and this is the first step,” Sheriff Hall said.

“Cpl. Yingling brings the skill set and expertise to provide the resources back into our School Resource Officer program, to the families, and the students and the school staff. It’s incredibly satisfying. This is my 30th day as Sheriff and the program started today,” Sheriff Hall said on Thursday.

While visiting students at Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School in Mechanicsville, Sheriff Hall told a first-grade class that the new School Resource Officer will be “checking up on you guys to make sure you’re happy and safe.”

Many of the students during the visit told the Sheriff that they already love police officers.

“We love you. That’s why we’re here,” Sheriff Hall told a kindergarten class there.

Sheriff Hall, Sgt. Robert Merritt and Cpl. Yingling 

St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent J. Scott Smith said, “St. Mary's County Public Schools is tremendously thankful for the continued commitment to our partnership and the support of Sheriff Hall and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. The addition of a dedicated school resource officer for our elementary schools is a significant enhancement for school safety and security. Together, we are committed to the continued expansion of all school security initiatives including School Resource Officers, adopt-a-school officers, and uniformed security for all of our schools.”

In the 1998-1999 school year, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Mary’s County Board of Education entered into a collaborative agreement that assigned a deputy to each of the three public high schools. The program was expanded in the 2005-2006 school year to add two more deputies, who split their time among the four public middle schools.

In the 2019-2020 school year, two more deputies were added, providing a School Resource Officer at each of the four public middle schools.

The new School Resource Officer for the public elementary schools will visit the campuses on a rotating basis, including the Chesapeake Charter School. The Sheriff’s Office also continues its Adopt-A-School program, where deputies volunteer to check on a specific elementary school during their regular duties.

Cpl. Yingling hands out junior badges to students 

Download the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s App for free at https://apps.myocv.com/share/a48820650

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 Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at 8:38 am, the suspect removed two Amazon packages that were delivered to a home in Lexington Park. The suspect was last seen on foot, talking toward Hermanville Road. 

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to call Deputy Bradley Kirscht at 301-475-4200, ext. 78027 or email bradley.kirscht@stmaryscountymd.gov. Case # 65942-22 

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.

Sheriff's Office Provides Safe Exchange Parking at its Stations

 

Safe Exchange parking at the District 4 Station in Lexington Park 

Under video surveillance by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, the Safe Exchange locations are marked by posted signs for child custody exchanges, in-person transactions, meeting with a buyer or a seller for online transactions, or any other reason to meet publicly.  

The Sheriff's Office provides Safe Exchange parking at each of its district offices:

* District 1 Station at 37575 Charlotte Hall School Road in Charlotte Hall 

District 1 Station 

* Sheriff's Office Headquarters at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown 

* District 3 Station at 23125 Camden Way in California 

District 3 Station 

* District 4 Station at 21633 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park 

In October 2020, Eagle Scout Jaden Arnold and his crew installed the first Safe Exchange spaces at the District 1 Station and at the Sheriff's Office Headquarters, and the Sheriff's Office then added the spaces to the remaining stations. 

Identity Needed for Theft Suspects

 
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is seeking the identity of the persons pictured in a theft investigation. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at 9 am, the two females stole a quantity of items from the California Walmart store as they scanned some items at the register, but not others. They both left the store without paying for all of the merchandise in their possession. 

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspects or this incident is asked to call Deputy Michael Rycyzyn at 301-475-4200, ext. 78030 or email michael.rycyzyn@stmaryscountymd.gov. Case # 62582-22 

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. 

Criminal Summonses Served-December 2022

 

12/03/22- Kalisa Renae Hall, age 24 of Leonardtown- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Allebach# 392. 

12/04/22- Gregory Myles Garner, age 19 of California- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Shubrooks# 389. 

12/04/22- Tiffany Michelle Eckloff, age 32 of Lexington Park- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Chase-Johnson# 407. 

12/06/22- Nicole Mae Frye, age 23 of Ridge- Trespass: Private Property by Dep. Hunsinger# 385. 

12/07/22- Neves Izabela Ticona, age 33 of California- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Walker# 366.  

12/08/22- Dashawn James Lee Lawson, age 28 of Leonardtown- Malicious Destruction of Property by DFC. Fenwick# 338. 

12/08/22- Sharia Natalia Buck, age 35 of California- Animal Cruelty: Fail to Provide by Dep. Rodriguez# 409. 

12/09/22- Rodney Delray Taylor, age 56 of Hollywood- Motor Vehicle/Unlawful Taking by Dep. Hill# 361. 

12/09/22-Patrick Charles Koller, age 42 of Pennsylvania- Violate Protective Order (14 counts) by Dep. Hill# 361. 

12/10/22- Martel Aloysius Mason, age 21 of Lexington Park- Assault 2nd Degree and Malicious Destruction of Property by Dep. Wilhelmi# 365. 

12/10/22- Tyler Donell McKinney, age 18 of Lexington Park- Malicious Destruction of Property by Dep. Welch# 399. 

12/10/22- Joren Alberto Perez Garcia, age 20 of Lexington Park- Sex Offense 3rd and 4th Degree and Violate Protective Order by Dep. Kirscht# 395. 

12/11/22- Michael Tyree Mitchell, age 40 of Great Mills- Theft and Trespass: Private Property by Dep. Reynolds# 394. 

12/11/22- Michael Wade Blackistone, age 40 of Lexington Park- Theft by Dep. Reynolds# 394. 

12/12/22- Jakob Nathaniel Tullos, age 23 of Avenue- DWI, Handgun in Vehicle, Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, and Failure to Control Speed to Avoid Collision by Sgt. Pesante# 153. 

12/12/22- Darius Antonio Varlack, age 42 of Hollywood- Possess/Issue Forged Currency by DFC. Fenwick# 338. 

12/12/22- John Daniel Andries, age 37 of Piney Point- Assault 2nd Degree by Dep. Walker# 366. 

12/15/22- Joshua Alan Moore, age 33 of Mechanicsville- Theft by Dep. Haas# 367. 

12/15/22 - Donald Elwood Corbin, age 53 of Lexington Park - Theft Scheme: $25,000 to $100,000 by Sgt. Merritt #139. 

12/16/22 - Edward Allen Cook, age 43 of Lexington Park - Second-Degree Assault by Deputy Deinert #401. 

12/16/22 - Shawn Michael Clark, age 30 of no fixed address - Theft: $100 to under $1,500 by Deputy Dixon #380.

12/18/22 - Jontae Lamont Proctor, age 19 of Leonardtown - Two counts of Reckless Endangerment and three counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Minor by Deputy Lawrence #279. 

12/19/22 - David Lloyd Adams, age 34 of California - Second-Degree Assault by Deputy Palmer #373. 

12/19/22 - William Reed Mesmer, age 54 of California - 15 counts of Firearm Possession/Felony Conviction; Illegal Possession of Ammo; First-Degree Assault; Second-Degree Assault, 11 counts of Rifle/Shotgun Possession with Felony Conviction and Reckless Endangerment by Deputy Tasciotti #398. 

12/20/22 - Felicia Young, age 59 of Mechanicsville - Theft: $100 to under $1,500 by Deputy Tasciotti #398. 

12/21/22 - Joseph Wayne Hancock, age 37 of Avenue - Interception of Communication by Deputy Senatore #404. 

12/22/22 - Chanta Ajaya Middleton, age 41 of Lexington Park - Unauthorized Removal of Motor Vehicle by Deputy Shubrooks #389.

12/22/22 - Kevin Maurice Walls, age 60 of Lexington Park - Theft: Less than $100 and Attempted Theft: Less than $100 by Deputy Rodriguez #409. 

12/22/22 - Justin Phillip Nelson, age 21 of Hollywood - CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute, Manufacture CDS and CDS Possession: Cannabis more than 10 grams by Deputy Katulich #363. 

12/23/22 - Dallas Deondre Roberts, age 18 of Lexington Park - CDS Possession: Not Cannabis by Lt. Ellis #245. 

12/25/22 - Exsai Hernandez-Herrera, age 26 of California - Failure of Vehicle Driver to Stop at Accident and Failure of Vehicle Driver to Furnish Required ID by Deputy Reynolds #394. 

12/26/22 - Brandon Lee Holdaway, age 27 of Leonardtown - Second-Degree Assault by Deputy Senatore #404. 

12/26/22 - Thomas Cornell Biscoe, age 58 of Lexington Park - Second-Degree Assault by Deputy Walker #366. 

12/27/22 - Justin Darrell Biscoe, age 35 of Lexington Park - Theft: Less than $100 by DFC Schell #359. 

12/27/22 - George Houston Russell Jr., age 52 of Lexington Park - Theft: Less than $100 by Deputy Myers #364. 

12/27/22 - Charlita Lashawn Watts, age 43 of Lexington Park - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine by Cpl. Potter #255. 

12/29/22 - James Russell MacDonald, age 53 of Hollywood - Malicious Destruction of Property under $1,000 by Deputy Hill #381.

12/29/22 - Caleb McKay Buckler, age 23 of Hollywood - CDS: Possession Cannabis more than 10 grams by Cpl. Holdsworth #305. 

DUI Arrests for November/December 2022

November: 

Nov. 2, 2022: Keith Allen Quesnell, age 60 of California, by Deputy Marsch #397. Case # 56447-22 (no photo available) 

Nov. 2, 2022: Terrell Wesley Smith, age 34 of Glen Burnie, by Deputy Truss #402. Case # 56462-22 

Terrell Wesley Smith 

Nov. 8, 2022: Matthew Keith Snell, age 32 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Absher #405. Case # 57494-22 

Matthew Keith Snell 

Nov. 12, 2022: Nicholas Ryan Moore, age 32 of Kansas City, by Deputy Absher #405. Case # 58189-22 (no photo available) 

Nov. 13, 2022: Henry Willie Rumph Jr., age 44 of California, by Deputy Truss #402. Case # 58312-22 

Henry Willie Rumph Jr. 

Nov. 16, 2022: Christine Renee Adams, age 33 of Leonardtown, by Deputy Rodriguez #409. Case # 58688-22 (no photo available) 

Nov. 18, 2022: Marc Ryan Gill Jr., age 19 of Leonardtown, by Deputy Rodriguez #409. Case # 59217-22 (no photo available) 

Nov. 19, 2022: Christopher Michael Linn, age 23 of Hollywood, by Deputy Chase-Johnson #407. Case # 59242-22 (no photo available) 

Nov. 22, 2022: Derrik Maurice Ballard, age 67 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Haas #367. Case # 59872-22 

Derrik Maurice Ballard 

Nov. 23, 2022: Sean Douglas Shaffer, age 30 of Upper Marlboro, by Deputy Dixon #380. Case # 60139-22 

Sean Douglas Shaffer 

Nov. 24, 2022: Tony Andrew Quade, age 38 of Park Hall, by DFC Westphal #337. Case # 60256-22

Tony Andrew Quade 

Nov. 25, 2022: Barry Devon Hillian, age 35 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Chase-Johnson #407. Case # 60312-22

Barry Devon Hillian

Dec. 13, 2022: Timothy Cornelius Johnson, age 36 of Bowie, by Deputy Senatore #404. Case # 63584-22 

Timothy Cornelius Johnson 

Dec. 15, 2022: Jennifer Lynn Kraus, age 46 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Kirscht #395. Case # 64118-22 (no photo available) 

Dec. 16, 2022: Charles Raymond Corbin, age 47 of Lusby, by Deputy Marsch #397. Case # 64127-22 

Charles Raymond Corbin 

Dec. 18, 2022: Danielle Alicia Frost, age 38 of Mechanicsville, by Deputy Deinert #401. Case # 64476-22 (no photo available) 

Dec. 18, 2022: Jonathon Brian Norris, age 24 of Leonardtown, by Deputy Gardiner #369. Case # 64483-22 

Jonathon Brian Norris 

Dec. 22, 2022: Matthew Joseph Barnes Dalton, age 54 of Lusby, by Deputy Deinert #401. Case # 65183-22 (no photo available) 

Dec. 23, 2022: Delonte Daivon Strong, age 26 of La Plata, by Deputy Campbell #408. Case # 65374-22 (no photo available) 

Dec. 24, 2022: Melissa Anne Stavish, age 44 of Leonardtown, by Deputy Reynolds #394. Case # 65500-22 (no photo available) 

Dec. 25, 2022: Ikia Nicole Christian, age 29 of California, by Deputy Tasciotti #398. Case # 65518-22 

Ikia Nicole Christian 

Dec. 26, 2022: Edward Walter Lipnickas, age 63 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Walker #366. Case # 65673-22 

Dec. 27, 2022: Andrew Frank Seckler, age 49 of Alexandria, VA, by Deputy Gardiner #369. Case # 65840-22 

Dec. 28, 2022: Marvin Darryl Cassell, age 42 of Westminster, by Deputy Stewart #310. Case # 65892-22

Dec. 28, 2022: Dior Christopher Christian, age 53 of Clinton, by Deputy Wilhelmi #365. Case # 66017-22 

 

Corrections Officer Whitley on His Way to Doctorate Degree

 

CO Matthew Whitley 

Working at a detention center is one of the most challenging jobs in the public safety industry. Working nights, holidays and weekends, corrections employees often have to deal with a great deal of stress throughout the workday. At times, inmates may become violent and unpredictable. Employees work in tight spaces and are often required to work overtime. A great deal of training must be completed prior to beginning work in this field.

Corrections Officer Matthew Whitley has maintained a pleasant and professional demeanor as he continues to build on his formal education.

Whitley, age 25, was born and raised in St. Mary’s County. He attended and graduated from Frostburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

While obtaining his education, he worked as a public safety dispatcher over the course of four summers in Ocean City, Maryland.

When it came time to get a full-time job, Whitley applied to become a public safety dispatcher in St. Mary’s County, but his mother informed him that the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was also hiring corrections officers.

He applied to the Sheriff’s Office and has been a corrections officer for three years now, working at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

“It’s not bad,” he said of his job. “I have fun, but I can make anything fun. You gotta spice it up now and then,” he said.

But Whitley didn’t stop at a four-year degree while he continued to work full time.

During the height of the pandemic and while also looking for house to buy, Whitley completed his master’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.

As part of the benefit package for St. Mary’s County government employees, Whitley was able to be reimbursed for continuing his education.

And Whitley is still not done with his education. He is pursuing a doctorate degree in Psychology and is about 1/3 of the way completed. If he stays the academic course, he will complete his post-Master certificate program in 2 ½ years.

Once completed, Whitley would be the first employee of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and its long history to have earned a Doctorate degree.

Even as he continues his formal education, Whitley said he’s not planning on leaving the Sheriff’s Office.

With tuition reimbursement provided by the county for employees, Whitley advised his peers and co-workers, “utilize any opportunity given to you. If they’re going to offer something to you, take it.”

“Officer Whitley has set himself apart as a leader in the corrections profession since hired and was the class speaker at Corrections Entrance Level Training Program graduation,” Warden Mary Ann Thompson said. Officer Whitley sets the example to be able to work full time and achieve higher education goals which the county government assists with tuition reimbursement.”

“Corrections Officer Whitley is an impressive young person and represents the very best of the Sheriff’s Office and the corrections profession,” Sheriff Steve Hall said. “He is enthusiastic about his work and knows that continuing his education enhances his opportunities by bringing additional skillsets within the detention center. We are grateful to have him on our team.”

Upon completion of the entrance level training program, all corrections graduates receive nine Criminal Justice credits from the College of Southern Maryland, in Introduction to Criminal Justice, Juvenile Delinquency and Corrections: Law, Theory and Operations.

For hiring opportunities with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, download the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s App on your phone at https://apps.myocv.com/share/a48820650 and visit the Recruitment and Careers link. For further information on jobs with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, email sheriffrecruiting@stmaryscountymd.gov.

Identity Needed for Property Destruction Suspect

 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured in a property destruction investigation. On Monday, Dec. 23, 2022, during the overnight hours, the pictured female met with someone at the Inn at Leonardtown. The female is suspected of causing intentional extensive water damage to the rented room, as well as surrounding rooms. 

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to call Deputy Bianca Salas at 301-475-4200, ext. 78160 or email bianca.salas@stmaryscountymd.gov. Case # 65440-22 

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.