Criminal Justice Students Complete Internship at Sheriff's Office

 

Sheriff Steve Hall addresses criminal justice students 

This week, 17 students in the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Criminal Justice Program completed their nine-week session interning with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. 

The 11th- and 12th-grade students spent time at Sheriff's Office headquarters, with the Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Lab, the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, the St. Mary's County Circuit Court and the St. Mary's County Emergency Communications Center. 

The program culminated on Wednesday with a demonstration by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit and Emergency Services Team at the St. Mary's County Animal Adoption and Resource Center in California. Sheriff Hall then presented the students with Sheriff's Salutes for their work.  

Sheriff Hall and Abiola Agboola

DFC Phillip Henry deploys K-9 Maja on Cpl. William Rishel 

Demonstration of Emergency Services Team equipment and gear 

Students take photos in the EST Bear Cat

Lexington Park Man Arrested for Cocaine Distribution

 

Deyonta Terrell Gross 

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, detectives with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant on a Lexington Park man resulting in cocaine distribution charges.

Criminal Investigations Division detectives located Deyonta Terrell Gross, age 29 of Lexington Park, driving a 2021 Hyundai Palisade at a restaurant in California. Gross was detained by police and search of the vehicle produced a digital scale located in the front driver door and a box of sandwich bags located in the center console. A quantity of suspected cocaine was also located on Gross.

Gross was charged with CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, CDS: Production Equipment and CDS Possession: Cocaine. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown and released on recognizance on Wednesday and placed on Pre-Trial supervision.

Identities Needed for Theft Suspects

 
May 4, 2023 update: Both suspects have been identified. Thank you for the tips. 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is seeking the identities of the two men pictured in a theft investigation. Over the course of at least eight visits to the Target store in California, the two male suspects stole multiple items, totaling a combined theft of more than $4,000 in merchandise. 

On at least two occasions, the suspects left in a gray Chevy truck (pictured). 

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Deputy Michael Walker at 301-475-4200, ext. 78092 or email michael.walker@stmaryscountymd.gov. Case # 23217-23 

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. 

Officers of the Year Recognized at Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

 

The Officers of the Year from various agencies were recognized Tuesday at the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 

The Commissioners of St. Mary's County, St. Mary's Department of Aging and Human Services and Triad/SALT Council held their annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at The White Rose facility in Callaway.

The Officers of the Year for several agencies were recognized including Cpl. Daniel Holdsworth -- the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff of the Year, and CFC Monica Moncivais-Romero -- Corrections Officer of the Year. 

"Congratulations to all the public servants being recognized this year for their faithful and steadfast dedication to both state, county and country," Sheriff Steve Hall said at the ceremony. "Your exemplary work is acknowledged and, as indicated by the event is appreciated."

"But in this recognition of you there is something greater being sought. It’s obligation. The obligation to those who have come before you in this profession including those who trained, encouraged and supported you. It’s an obligation to ensure that your service to your respective agencies and this community remains worthy of the sacrifices made by our daring brothers and sisters we honor this month. Let their voices strengthen your resolve to never shrink for your principles or your oath," the Sheriff said.

"This obligation calls for you to continue to provide the example to all those around you, especially those coming into our profession," the Sheriff said.

In addition to Cpl. Holdsworth and CFC Moncivais-Romero, Maryland State Trooper Timothy Eckrich; Master Trooper John Preston of the Maryland State Police Aviation Division; Sgt. Shawn Bowie of the Patuxent River Police Department; MK2 Colin Jones of the US Coast Guard St. Inigoes; Officer Mason Falcon of the St. Mary's College of Maryland Office of Public Safety; Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles; Officer First Class Kyle Neitzel of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Senior Assistant State's Attorney Sarah Proctor of the St. Mary's County Office of the State's Attorney were recognized. 

Sheriff Steve Hall speaks to members of the Knights of Columbus Color Corps 

Sheriff Hall speaks to the audience 

Officers of the Year with elected officials 

DUI Arrests for March/April 2023

March: 

March 4, 2023: Ashley Lynn Baker, age 27 of California, by Deputy Marsch #397. Case # 11699-23 

Ashley Lynn Baker 

March 5, 2023: Deangelo Mussie Nock, age 28 of Lusby, by Deputy Truss #402. Case # 12013-23

Deangelo Mussie Nock 

March 8, 2023: Carlos Alberto Hernandez Carranza, age 27 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Ocasio-Rivera #413. Case # 12203-23

Carlos Alberto Hernandez Carranza 

March 11, 2023: Brooke Ann Allen, age 25 of California, by Deputy Grant #412. Case # 13058-23

Brooke Ann Allen

 March 12, 2023: Ina Bernice Murray, age 20 of Bushwood, by Deputy Deinert #401. Case # 13174-23 

Ina Bernice Murray 

March 12, 2023: Andrew Tyler Brightwell, age 33 of Solomons, by Deputy Estrada #415. Case # 13297-23 

Andrew Tyler Brightwell 

March 13, 2023: Henry Selby Faunce, age 29 of Charlotte Hall, by Deputy Morgan #384. Case # 13339-23

Henry Selby Faunce 

March 15, 2023: Robert C. Buckler, age 55 of Charlotte Hall, by Deputy Estrada #415. Case # 13893-23

Robert C. Buckler 

March 16, 2023: Mary Leellen Ingram, age 38 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Myers #364. Case # 13903-23

Mary Leellen Ingram

March 16, 2023: Jake Allen Clark, age 33 of California, by Sgt. Connelly #151. Case # 14094-23

Jake Allen Clark 

March 18, 2023: Eric Roshaun Scriber, age 39 of Lusby, by Deputy Senatore #404. Case # 14496-23

Eric Roshaun Scriber 

March 19, 2023: Christina Lynn Rivas, age 49 of Hollywood, by Deputy Stillwell #414. Case # 14568-23

Christina Lynn Rivas 

March 20, 2023: Steven Paul Hubenschmidt, age 51 of Mechanicsville, by Deputy Truss #402. Case # 14635-23 

Steven Paul Hubenschmidt 

March 24, 2023: Tamekia Wydell Tate, age 37 of Lusby, by Deputy Deitrich #417. Case # 15498-23

Tamekia Wydell Tate 

March 25, 2023: Jonathon Leon Dorsey, age 30 of Park Hall, by Deputy Grant #412. Case # 15636-23

Jonathon Leon Dorsey 

March 25, 2023: Benjamin Joseph Culbert, age 32 of Lusby, by Deputy Munn #406. Case # 15666-23

Benjamin Joseph Culbert 

March 26, 2023: Latoya Nichole Sewell, age 40 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Rodriguez #409. Case # 15756-23

Latoya Nichole Sewell 

March 26, 2023: Eloy Manuel Lopez Banvelas, age 40 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Deinert #401. Case # 15797-23

Eloy Manuel Lopez Banvelas 

March 27, 2023: Willie Eugene Lennon, age 74 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Reynolds #394. Case # 16041-23 

Willie Eugene Lennon 

March 30, 2023: Michael Timmy Harrod, age 24 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Rodriguez #409. Case # 16789-23  

Michael Timmy Harrod 

April: 

April 1, 2023: Stephen William Sonntag, age 32 of Leonardtown, by Deputy Campbell #408. Case # 17106-23 

Stephen William Sonntag 

April 1, 2023: Sharon Denade Thomas, age 60 of Spring Lake, NC, by Deputy Kirscht #395. Case # 17129-23 

Sharon Denade Thomas

April 2, 2023: Terry Glenn Parsons, age 43 of Lusby, by Deputy Kirscht #395. Case # 17303-23 

Terry Glenn Parsons 

April 2, 2023: Cedric Sinclair Williams, age 36 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Hill #381. Case # 17184-23 

Cedric Sinclair Williams 

April 5, 2023: Job St. Sauveur, age 31 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Deinert #401. Case # 17737-23

Job St. Sauveur 

April 6, 2023: Matthew Thomas Ryan, age 37 of Mechanicsville, by Deputy Ocasio Rivera #413. Case # 18066-23 

Matthew Thomas Ryan 

April 6, 2023: Randi Leigh Becker, age 30 of Mechanicsville, by Cpl. Roszell #296. Case # 17953-23 

Randi Leigh Becker 

April 8, 2023: Jonathon Thomas Gilliam, age 21 of Mechanicsville, by Deputy Dixon #380. Case # 18316-23 

Jonathon Thomas Gilliam 

April 14, 2023: Toney Robert Key, age 20 of King George, VA, by Deputy Wilhelmi #365. Case # 19735-23

Toney Robert Key 

April 15, 2023: Paul Allen Lombardi, age 73 of Leonardtown, by Cpl. Reppel #141. Case # 19842-23

Paul Allen Lombardi 

April 21, 2023: Alan Rodrigo Ponce Contreas, age 24 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Hersh #343. Case # 21152-23 

Alan Rodrigo Ponce Contreas

April 23, 2023: Ki Grubbs, age 32 of California, by Deputy Deitrich #417. Case # 21486-23 

Ki Grubbs 

April 27, 2023: Michaela Tiani Richardson, age 21 of Lusby, by Deputy Deitrich #417. Case # 22263-23 (no photo available) 

April 28, 2023: Albert Paul Hallameyer, age 41 of Mechanicsville, by Deputy Munn #406. Case # 22443-23 (no photo available) 

April 29, 2023: Michael Green, age 49 of Lexington Park, by Deputy Campbell #408. Case # 22751-23

Michael Green 

 April 29, 2023: Francisco Omil Kuidlan, age 44 of Hollywood, by Deputy Stillwell #414. Case # 22753-23 (no photo available) 

April 30, 2023: Erick Alexander Maradiaga Diaz, age 26 of Great Mills, by Deputy Stillwell #414. Case # 22878-23 (no photo available) 

Lt. Sarah Smith Promoted to First Woman Captain in Sheriff's Office

 

Sheriff Steve Hall and Captain Sarah Smith 

Sheriff Steve Hall and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office are extremely proud to announce the promotion of Lt. Sarah Smith to Captain, effective May 1, 2023. Capt. Smith becomes the first woman police captain in the history of the agency, dating back to 1637. 

"We're finally here. She did it. We just came along for the ride," Sheriff Hall said on Monday during Capt. Smith's promotion ceremony. 

Smith first came to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in 1999 as a high school intern in the criminal justice program. She then joined the St. Mary's Sheriff's Office in February 2005 as a Deputy Sheriff. She worked in the Patrol Division until 2009 when she joined the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) as a Domestic Violence Coordinator. The next year she became the violent crime/property crime detective within BCI. 

In 2013, Smith went back to the Patrol Division at the rank of Sergeant and became a Lieutenant in 2021. 

"I'm excited for the opportunity," Capt. Smith said. "It's an honor to continue working as the Southern Region Patrol Commander." Capt. Stephen Simonds is the Northern Region Patrol Commander. 

"It doesn't go unsaid that this promotion comes from the hard work of the female supervisors that came before me," Capt. Smith said. 

Sheriff Hall and Sgt. Austin Schultz 

Cpl. Austin Schultz was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on May 1, 2023. Schultz started with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in 2007 as a Correctional Officer and became a Deputy Sheriff on April 15, 2011. Sgt. Schultz currently serves in the Criminal Intelligence Unit in the Criminal Investigations Division. 

Congratulations to both of you on your success and professionalism. 

Crash in Helen Under Investigation

 

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 1:40 am, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to Point Lookout Road and Bellevue Lane in Helen for the report of a single-vehicle crash with the vehicle overturned. Offices arrived and located a female passenger unresponsive with suspected serious injuries. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to continue the investigation.

Preliminary investigation determined that a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, operated by 17-year-old male of Mechanicsville, was traveling southbound on Point Lookout Road. Due to weather conditions and suspected speeding, the vehicle lost control over a curve, going off the roadway, striking a ditch and turning over. In addition to the driver, there were three passengers inside of the vehicle. Abigail Thorpe, age 18 of Mechanicsville, was unconscious at the scene and was transported to an area shock trauma hospital for incapacitating injuries.

Speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

Anyone with additional information about the collision is asked to contact Cpl. Matthew Beyer at 301-475-4200, ext. 78005 or email matthew.beyer@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.