Southern Maryland News Net

Waldorf Man Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Camaro; Loaded Stolen Handgun Recovered

Khobe Manuel Prospere David, 24, of White Plains, was arrested on January 6, 2026, after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle and crashing in Waldorf. Court documents indicate that David faces multiple charges, including felony motor vehicle theft, weapons violations, and several traffic offenses. According to charging documents, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the rear of a residence on St. Luke Drive in White Plains at approximately 7:26 a.m. to...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Serious Single Vehicle Rollover in Park Hall

On Friday, January 9, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Tripple E Farm Way in Park Hall, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and rollover. 911 callers reported a single vehicle into a tree with the vehicle on its side with the operator trapped. Crews from Ridge and Bay District Volunteer Fire Departments responded with crews quickly arriving on the scene to confirm...
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UPDATE: Firefighters Home Destroyed, Three Pets Killed in Early Morning Fire in Leonardtown, Fire Marshal Investigating Cause

UPDATE 1/8/2026: Bell and his family of firefighters have selflessly supported our communities and dedicated countless years to our local fire departments. This assistance link is setup through TheYardFoundation, by his IAFF Local 1619 in Prince George’s County with the following message. Click here to support, please share if you can’t. “Every firefighter knows the risk. But no one expects to be on the other side of the 911 call. Early this morning, Brother Chris Bell (IAFF Local 1619)...
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Driver Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Tesla Is Crushed Between Two Commercial Vehicles in Calvert County

On January 7, 2026, at approximately 10:44 a.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau responded to the intersection of South Solomons Island Road (Route 4) and Ball Road in St. Leonard, for the report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the severity of the crash, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was requested and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2019 Freightliner truck, operated by Erbert Locklear Jr., 64,...
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Lexington Park Man Charged With DUI, Handgun Violation After Alleged Hit-and-Run

Joseph Marcel Vigneault, 54, of Lexington Park, has been charged with multiple offenses following a reported hit-and-run crash and subsequent investigation that revealed alcohol consumption and the presence of a loaded handgun in his vehicle. According to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County District Court, on January 4, 2026, the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received several calls from community members regarding a dark-colored truck that had crossed over the center median at the intersection of Chancellors Run Road...
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Charles County Home Destroyed in Fire, One Dog Killed

UPDATE 1/6/2026: A structure fire on Rufus Madeline Place in Marbury, Charles County, resulted in a total loss of a single-family home on January 5, 2026, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire caused an estimated $125,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 in lost contents. The blaze, discovered around 1:52 p.m. by a family member, prompted a response from the Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department. Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the scene, where...
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Suspect Captured in Virginia After Triple Fatal Shooting Leaves Waldorf Man and Two D.C. Men Dead

A suspect is in custody in Virginia in connection with a fatal shooting early Saturday morning outside of a banquet hall in Temple Hills. The suspect is 39-year-old Antonio Lancaster of the Landover area. He faces multiple charges, to include murder, for fatally shooting 27-year-old Ronez Proctor of Waldorf. Two other adult males were also shot and killed during this incident. They are identified as 33-year-old Pierre Davis and 26-year-old Kevon Medley Williams, both of Washington, DC. The preliminary...
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Bowie Woman Charged With Drug Possession, False Identity, and Other Offenses Following January Arrest in Calvert County

Jamie Lee Lynn Prisk, 35, of Bowie, has been charged with eight charges after an arrest in Prince Frederick on January 1, 2026. The charges stem from an incident where deputies say she falsely identified herself to avoid arrest, and was later found in possession of suspected heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and contraband both during the traffic stop and while in custody. According to charging documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed a...
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VIDEO: One Arrested, Minor Injuries Reported After Suspect Fleeing Police Causes Car Crash in Lexington Park

UPDATE – Sheriff’s Office Press Release – 1/6/2025: On Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, while conducting proactive patrol operations in Lexington Park, a deputy with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office observed a gray Ford Fusion fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Fox Ridge Road and Spring Valley Road. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. Deputies did not pursue the Ford Fusion. While fleeing, the Ford Fusion was struck...
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My Sister’s Closet Launches in Southern Maryland to Support Women With Free Professional Attire and Fresh Start Opportunities!

A new community-driven initiative aimed at supporting women across Southern Maryland is officially taking shape. My Sister’s Closet has launched with a simple but powerful mission: women supporting women through dignity, opportunity, and community. Created to help women build confidence during career transitions, interviews, and fresh starts, My Sister’s Closet will provide free professional and business attire to women in need. The initiative is currently in its early stages, with organizers hoping to host their first free clothing event...
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Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Regrets to Announce Passing of Active Life Member Karen Elizabeth Strickland Szabo

Karen Elizabeth Strickland Szabo, 59, of Lexington Park, MD, passed away suddenly on December 31, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Leonardtown, Maryland, on September 29, 1966, to Myers and Dee Strickland. Karen grew up on Strickland Road in Great Mills with her two younger sisters, and within walking distance of her beloved Grandma Helen, three sets of aunts and uncles, and 11 cousins. Her childhood was filled with days playing in the woods, going...
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Four Displaced After Early Morning House Fire in Huntingtown, Cause Remains Under Investigation

On Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 4:50 a.m., firefighters and emergency medical services from Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties responded to the 2100 block of Lowery Road in Huntingtown, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a working fire with fire showing from a single story residence. Firefighters extinguished the fire in under 30 minutes. Emergency medical services evaluated one female home occupant on the scene, however, no transports were required. The...
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Firefighters Battle Strong Winds During Fire at Patuxent Camp Sites; Leaving Multiple Campers Destroyed and Families Displaced

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at approximately 4:07 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Patuxent Camp Sites located at 4774 Williams Wharf Road in Saint Leonard, for the reported camper on fire. 911 callers reported their family members camper was on fire with multiple explosions reported. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple calls. Due to the scope and size of the involved area, a working fire dispatch was requested to...
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Mother and Daughter Face Multiple Charges After Assaulting Police in Hollywood

Dionna Jaleya Cutchember, 20, and Lakina Chanelle Scriber, 47, both of Hollywood, are facing a combined total of 20 criminal charges following a disturbance on December 26, 2025, at a residence on Satchel Paige Way, in Hollywood. According to court records filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County, the incident involved a vehicle fleeing from a traffic stop and escalated into a physical confrontation inside a home, resulting in several alleged assaults on police officers. Trooper T....
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Virginia Man Sentenced to 20-Years for 1980s Sexual Abuse of St. Mary’s County Child

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Cecil John Dunlap, 79, of Chesapeake, Virginia was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old-child in 1981 and 1982. During this timeframe, Dunlap’s wife was a prominent schoolteacher serving the Tall Timbers/Valley Lee area in St. Mary’s County, Maryland and privately tutored children at her home. It was during a tutoring session that Dunlap abused the 7-year-old-victim who had accompanied her brother to his tutoring session at Dunlap’s home, located at...
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Police in Charles County Recover Stolen Car, Arrest Hyattsville Man in Widespread HVAC Theft Investigation

Thomas Clay Guinyard, 30, of Hyattsville, was arrested on December 31, 2025, in connection with a string of thefts and property destruction involving heating and air conditioning units across multiple counties. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Guinyard had active arrest warrants and was wanted in a case impacting more than ten businesses,...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Trespassing at Target Despite Prior Ban

Craig Andrew Kennedy, 61, of Lexington Park, has been charged with trespassing on private property after allegedly entering a Target store in California, Maryland, in violation of a prior ban. The charge, a misdemeanor, was filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County following an incident on January 6, 2026. According to court...
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Leonardtown Man Charged with Violating Protective Order, Drug Possession, and Introducing Contraband into Jail

James Allen Michael Schaeffer, 42, of Sykesville, has been formally charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses following his arrest on January 6, 2026. According to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County, the charges stem from allegations of violating a protective order and being in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia....
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Mechanicsville Man Facing Multiple Charges in Series of Drug and Property Crimes Across St. Mary’s County

Adam James Mantz, 44, of Mechanicsville, is facing a string of criminal charges stemming from multiple incidents in St. Mary’s County, including drug possession, theft, and destruction of property. Court records show a pattern of alleged offenses dating back to September 2025, with charges filed in several separate cases across Lexington Park and Mechanicsville....
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Charles County Warns Residents of Fraudulent Payment Scam Impersonating Planning Department

Charles County Government is warning residents and businesses about a scam involving fraudulent emails falsely claiming to be from the Department of Planning and Growth Management. According to county officials, the emails instruct recipients to submit payments through wire transfer for supposed fees or outstanding invoices. Officials emphasized that Charles County Government never requests...
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Governor Moore Announces Record Funding to Support Law Enforcement in Proposed FY 2027 Budget Amid Historic Drops in Violent Crime Statewide

Governor Wes Moore this morning announced a record $124.1 million in funding to support law enforcement in the governor’s proposed FY 2027 budget. Administered through the State Aid for Police Protection Program, the funding represents the Moore-Miller Administration’s continued commitment to making Maryland safer, as the state continues to see historic drops in violent crime....
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January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

January is recognized nationally as Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, a time to raise awareness about the effectiveness of treatment and the importance of reducing stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Substance use disorder is a treatable health condition, and recovery is possible with the right support. Treatment can help individuals regain stability, improve overall...
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Board of Public Works Approves $8.9 Million for Recreational Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Six Maryland Counties

The Board of Public Works today approved $8.9 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreational improvements and land conservation in Baltimore City, and Calvert, Howard, Kent, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wicomico counties. The Board also approved a short-term lease for the Days Cove...
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State of Maryland Compliance Board Rules in Favor of Board of Education in Open Meetings Act Complaint Filed by Southern Maryland News

The State of Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board recently ruled in favor of the Board of Education of Charles County in regard to a complaint filed by a staff member from Southern Maryland News. The complaint, filed in November 2025, alleged the Board of Education violated the Open Meetings Act when it met on Sept. 23, 2025, to discuss Board member vacancy candidates. To fill...
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Governor Moore Proposes Record $10.2 Billion Investment in Maryland Public Schools in FY 2027 Budget

Governor Wes Moore today announced a historic $10.2 billion investment in Maryland’s K-12 education as part of his Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal. The announcement, made at Frederick High School, reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to building a world-class education system that eliminates achievement gaps and prepares every student for the jobs of the...
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Leonardtown Woman Faces Charges After Alleged Trespassing and Struggle With Arresting Officers

Kelly Helen Woozley, 24, of Leonardtown, has been formally charged following an incident at a Charlotte Hall rehabilitation center on December 25, 2025. According to court documents, Woozley is facing four misdemeanor charges: trespassing on private property, resisting/interfering with arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order. The incident occurred at approximately...
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UPDATE: Impaired Off-Duty Prince George’s County Officer Indicted After Killing Retired Metropolitan Police Detective in Crash

1/8/2026: Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson has announced the indictment of suspended Prince George’s County Police Officer, Corporal Anthony Coleman, in connection with the fatal motor vehicle collision on Route 301 that killed Carlton Herndon, a Prince George’s County District Court Bailiff. Coleman was off duty at the time of the crash....
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Minor Injuries Reported After Rollover Collision in California

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., police responded to Patuxent Beach Road and Oak Drive in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with no injuries. Deputies arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle collision with one vehicle overturned and all occupants out of the vehicles. Firefighters and emergency...
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No Injuries After Fire at Hollywood Used Auto Parts in St. Mary’s County

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 8:15 a.m., firefighters from Hollywood, Leonardtown, Solomons, and NAS Patuxent River were dispatched to the Hollywood Used Auto Parts located at 43900 Commerce Avenue in Hollywood, for the reported commercial structure fire. 911 callers reported smoke showing from the shop with all occupants accounted for. Firefighters from Hollywood...
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Saving Your Space: Maryland State Park’s Day-Use Reservation System Cuts Closures, Readies Expansion for 2026

Maryland Park Service’s new day-use reservation system is working as designed to stop the frequent capacity closures that took place at popular state parks before the system was implemented in 2025. In the spring and summer of 2025, the Maryland Park Service launched the new system that requires visitors to make advance reservations on weekends and...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported, Firefighters Extinguish Vehicle Fire in Leonardtown

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at approximately 12:47 p.m., police and firefighters responded to the St. Mary’s County Board of Education building located at 23160 Moakley Street in Leonardtown, for the reported vehicle on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a Ford SUV fully engulfed in flames with all occupants out and...
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Maryland Car Rally Task Force Dismantles Four Illegal Car Rallies, Prevents Three; Four Arrests Made

Multiple large-scale illegal car rallies were dismantled by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force and partner law enforcement agencies on Friday in Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties. The dismantling operation started at 9 p.m. on Friday, January 2 and focused on public roads, industrial zones, and parking lots throughout Howard, Prince George’s, and...
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