Southern Maryland News Net

Police in Charles County Seize Drugs, Guns, and Stolen Vehicles – Newburg Man Arrested

Demetrius Antoine McKinney, 32, of Newburg, was arrested on January 9, 2025, in connection with an ongoing drug trafficking investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Division. The arrest followed a search warrant executed at McKinney’s residence on Oak Ridge Court, where authorities reportedly recovered a substantial amount of illegal drugs, firearms, stolen property, and other evidence linked to criminal activity. According to the statement of probable cause, the search began early in the morning, with the...
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UPDATE: 94-Year-Old Woman Identified After Being Found Deceased In Her Hughesville Home

UPDATE 1/13/2025: The victim of last week’s fatal house fire in Hughesville has been positively identified as 94-year-old Dora Lee Douglas, the homeowner. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the cause of death was attributed to thermal burn injuries and smoke inhalation. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office continue investigating the exact origin and cause of the fire. While the exact cause of the fire has not been determined,...
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Prince Frederick Man who Stabbed Dog to Death in Calvert County Convicted of Aggravated Animal Cruelty

On Friday, January 10, 2025, following a 2-day trial, Mark Roosevelt Fields was convicted by a Calvert County jury of aggravated animal cruelty and dangerous weapons charges. At trial, the evidence revealed that Fields, 39, of Prince Frederick, stabbed and killed his cousin’s dog following a family dispute. Fields will be sentenced on March 14, 2025. Until that time, he will be held without bond at the Calvert County Detention Center. He is facing up to 6 years in...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Accidentally Shooting Himself With Shotgun in Leonardtown

On Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:05 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 42000 block of Fairgrounds Road in Leonardtown, for the reported gunshot victim. Police arrived on the scene to find the adult male patient was conscious alert and breathing. Fire and medical services proceeded into the scene to find a 45-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and requested a helicopter to land at the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in...
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St. Mary’s County EMS Chief Who Admitted to Stealing Fentanyl and Other Drugs Makes Plea Deal

UPDATE 1/9/2024: Thomas Patrick Raley has accepted a plea deal in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court after facing multiple charges. He entered an Alford plea to second-degree burglary, meaning he does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. Raley also pled guilty to two counts of rogue and vagabond, as well as seven counts of drug possession involving controlled substances other than cannabis. The thefts primarily involved controlled substances essential for emergency medical...
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Hollywood Woman Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges After Dog is Euthanized Due to Severe Injuries

UPDATE 1/12/2025: Kenjewel McCullough, 45, of Hollywood, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2025, to six counts of animal cruelty in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court. McCullough was charged with the misdemeanor offenses, stemming from incidents that occurred on June 16, 2024. At a sentencing hearing presided over by Judge Amy Lorenzini, McCullough entered guilty pleas for six charges. With her guilty pleas, the case was resolved, and the jury trial initially scheduled for January 14-17, 2025, was canceled. Court...
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Large House in Chesapeake Beach Destroyed After Early Morning Fire, Cause Under Investigation

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, at approximately 3:44 a.m., police responded to 4515 Camp Roosevelt Drive in Chesapeake Beach, for multiple alarms going off. Around 3:54 a.m., officers began travelling down the driveway and at the same time, one of the home owners called stating the house was on fire. Under a minute later, Deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reported seeing fire through the woods. When officers arrived, they reported the entire house was engulfed in flames...
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UPDATE: 47-Year-Old Montgomery County Firefighter Identified After Collapsing at House Fire in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 1/12/2025 @ 9:00 a.m.: Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey A. Smedley announced the 47-year-old member sadly passed away last night after collapsing on the scene of a house fire in Prince George’s County. The 22 year veteran was later identified as Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins, who leaves behind his wife and two children. Our condolences to all those affected. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will be provided when they become available. UPDATE 1/12/2025 @12:45 a.m.: The Prince George’s...
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UPDATE: Two Flown Out After Armored Vehicle Overturns in Charles County, Firefighter Injured On Scene

UPDATE 1/12/2025: The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid in response to a motor vehicle accident with entrapment in the Bennsville area Upon arrival, first-responding companies encountered an overturned armored vehicle with two individuals trapped inside. Rescue Engine 1 from the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department played a pivotal role in assisting with the extrication of one of the trapped occupants located in the rear compartment of the vehicle. During the extrication efforts, one of our members...
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Bubby’s Christmas Farewell Brings in Over $320,000, Knott Family Donates All to Our Schools, Organizations and Volunteer Fire Departments

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Knott family hosted a check presentation for our local nonprofits, organizations and three of our communities completely volunteer Fire/EMS departments. “Thanks to your generosity and the Knott Family’s incredible donation, we’re proud to announce the distribution of funds to these amazing local nonprofits! Each organization plays a vital role in our community, and we are so proud to support them in Bubby’s honor.” Here’s a breakdown of how the funds were distributed: St....
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UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Shot in Hollywood: Ten Weeks Later, No Arrests and No Answers from Police

UPDATE: More than Ten weeks have passed since a 19-year-old man was shot in Hollywood, leading to a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, yet no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Although police have identified the shooter in court documents, no charges have been filed, and authorities have not released the suspect’s name to help locate him. Despite an initial arrest by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, charging an individual with accessory after...
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Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run That Killed 21-Year-Old Waldorf Woman

UPDATE 1/10/2025: On January 10, 2025, at approximately 7:17 a.m., a Charles County Sheriff’s patrol officer was traveling on Smallwood Drive West near St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf when he observed a body in the road on the eastbound side of the roadway. The officer arrived on scene at the same time as a citizen was calling 9-1-1. The officer stopped, approached the individual, and determined she was unconscious and not breathing. The officer initiated CPR until EMS arrived....
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UPDATE: Occupants and Pets Safe After House Fire in Port Republic, Cause Under Investigation

UPDATE 1/10/2025: January 9th, 2025, at 12:22 p.m., firefighters responded to 4099 Cortona Drive in Port Republic, Calvert County, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a Two-story, single family residence engulfed in flames. Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is still ongoing. Smoke alarms were present, but did not activate until after occupant evacuation due to fire location. No injuries were reported. The loss is being valued at over $550,000 Over...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash in Indian Head

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 2:24 p.m., Maryland State Police troopers from the La Plata Barrack and deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Maryland Route 344 near Maryland Route 224. Due to the severity of the incident, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team was called to take over the investigation. Preliminary findings by the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack and the CRASH Team revealed that a Dodge...
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UPDATE: Woman’s Last Words Were “You Better Not” Before Being Murdered by Ex-Husband in Lexing Park

UPDATE 1/8/2025: Jayson D. Pressley, 38, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and use of a firearm in a violent crime following a fatal shooting on January 3, 2025. The victim, identified as Chaquanda Odom, 36, was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle in Lexington Park. Pressley, the ex-husband of the victim, later turned himself in to authorities, according to police. According to the statement of probable cause, Pressley arrived at...
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Attorney General Brown’s Statement on Supreme Court of the United States’ Decision Today to Decline Challenge in Maryland Shall Issue v. Wes Moore

(January 13, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear a challenge of Maryland’s law requiring most residents to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. In Maryland, most applicants for handgun qualification licenses are required to submit fingerprints, undergo...
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Mechanicsville Man Faces Fourth DUI After Stealing Lottery Money from Korner Karry Out

Vance Harrison Deniston, 67, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on January 10, 2025, following an incident involving the theft of cash from a local business and a subsequent investigation that led to multiple driving under the influence (DUI) charges. The arrest, detailed in court documents and statements from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, also...
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La Plata Police Investigating Suspicious Incident Involving Man at Target

The La Plata Police Department is investigating several complaints about an individual described as a light skinned male in his early 20’s driving a blue Nissan with Maryland plates who attempted to solicit females in the parking lot of the Target located on Shining Willow Way. The agency has developed a person of interest...
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Lothian Man Sentenced for Shoplifting Ribeye Steaks from Weis Grocery Store in Lexington Park

On January 13, 2025, Brandon Lee Holdaway, 29, of Lothian, was sentenced in St. Mary’s County District Court after pleading guilty to theft of items valued under $100. The charge stemmed from an incident on October 9, 2024, at a Weis grocery store located at 21600 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. According to...
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St. Mary’s County – Free Workshop for Caregivers Announced; First Meeting on January 27, 2025

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Aging & Human Services (DAHS) is pleased to announce the Building Better Caregivers workshop, an evidence-based program to equip caregivers with tools and knowledge to enhance their caregiving journey. Through the Building Better Caregivers program, participants will have the opportunity to: Discover practical strategies for self-care and stress...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake Expands Inpatient Care with High-Flow Oxygen Therapy

Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to announce the addition of high-flow oxygen therapy to its inpatient care centers, enhancing the quality of care for patients with complex respiratory needs. This innovative therapy provides critical support to individuals facing serious illness, ensuring they receive the best possible comfort and care. High-flow oxygen therapy is...
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Convicted Child Sexual Abuse Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison After Illegally Reentering the U.S.

U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Erbeth Gomez-Delgado, 48, of Hyattsville in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to 24 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the country after he was deported. In November 2024, after a three-day trial, a federal jury found Gomez-Delgado, a convicted child sexual abuse offender, guilty of a sole...
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Maryland State Fire Marshal Investigating La Plata House Fire That Displaces Five

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m., firefighters from La Plata Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to 503 Scarlet Oak Road in La Plata, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-story split foyer residence with fire showing. A working fire dispatch was...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at approximately 6:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 3600 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. 911 callers reported an unknown aged adult male was struck by a vehicle when crossing the roadway, they reported the man...
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One Flown to Trauma Center, Mother and Two Children Transported to Hospital After Motor Vehicle Collision in Leonardtown

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at approximately 5:45 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Winters Lane in Leonardtown, for a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Firefighters from Bay District, Leonardtown, and Second District responded with first arriving units finding a two vehicle rear-end...
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Charles County Department of Health Warns of Increased Rabies Cases Over Past Month

The Charles County Department of Health is alerting all citizens and visitors of an increase in rabies cases over the past month. One raccoon tested positive for rabies on December 22, 2024, in the vicinity of Charles Street/Penns Hill Road. Additionally, a fox tested positive for rabies on January 9, 2025, in the vicinity...
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Woman Charged with Fraud and Drug Possession Following Traffic Stop in St. Mary’s County

Chaude Amore Chase, 32, of Mechanicsville, is facing multiple charges following a January 4, 2025, traffic stop and subsequent investigation. Chase was charged with identity fraud, possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. The incident occurred at approximately 6:03 a.m. when Deputy Bradley Kirscht of the...
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Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Dump Truck on Fire Threatening Garage in Sunderland

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:45 a.m., firefighters from Huntingtown and surrounding departments from Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties responded to the 6200 block of Federal Oak Drive in Sunderland, for the reported vehicle fire threatening a residence. 911 callers reported a vehicle on fire next to a structure. Firefighters arrived on the scene...
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Student Injured During Altercation Involving Multiple Students at Milton Somers Middle School

On Friday, January 10, 2025, four students at Milton Somers Middle School were involved in an altercation inside the cafeteria. School staff and a school resource officer intervened and were able to separate the students. One student reported an injury sustained during the altercation and the SRO also sustained a minor injury while intervening....
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Theft and Escape in St. Mary’s County

Two separate criminal cases have been filed against Justin Michael Gibson, 34, of Lexington Park, stemming from incidents involving theft and escape. Gibson is currently facing charges for theft under $100 and second-degree escape, according to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County. On December 16, 2024, law enforcement responded to a 7-Eleven located...
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Hughesville Woman Charged After Bringing Drugs Into the St. Mary’s County Detention Center

On January 2, 2025, Haley Dantonio, 33, of Hughesville, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses following an incident at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Dantonio was being transported to the detention center after being sentenced to a period of incarceration in a separate case...
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A Wonderful Addition to Leonardtown Square: Meow Dyer Cat Cafe!

Join them for their grand opening celebration from January 10th to 12th, with doors open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM. Owner Shannon Myles Obedoza has partnered with Feral Cat Rescue to create a cozy, welcoming space where rescue cats can thrive while waiting for their forever homes. The cafe offers a calm...
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