Southern Maryland News Net

Large Multi-Agency Investigation Ongoing After Shed Fire in Hollywood, Charges Pending

UPDATE 10/21/2024 – The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement: On October 21st, 2024, Deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on the 42000 block of St. Johns Road in Hollywood to assist the Fire Department with a shed fire involving possible ammunition exploding inside. In the process of containing and extinguishing the fire, the Fire Department located dozens of firearms in one of the sheds. As a result of the firearms...
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Waldorf Man Faces Assault and Hate Crime Charges After Tractor Supply Confrontation

On October 20, 2024, at approximately 4:04 p.m., Charles County officers responded to a report of an armed confrontation outside a Tractor Supply store in White Plains. According to law enforcement, Harold Andrew Howard, 53, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault and a race or religious crime after allegedly pointing a shotgun at two individuals. The incident began inside the Tractor Supply store, where an argument broke out between Howard and the two...
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Protect Yourself and Loved Ones: Scammers Impersonating Local Law Enforcement in St. Mary’s County

While the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged receiving multiple reports of scammers impersonating deputies and demanding money, their public warning has provided limited details about how these scams are being carried out. To help shed more light on the issue, one local resident, whom we will refer to as Brian, has shared his firsthand experience. A Closer Look at How the Scam Unfolds Brian received a call that appeared to be from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s...
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UPDATE: Drunk Driver Arrested After Causing Serious Crash in Dameron That Sends One to Trauma Center

UPDATE 10/21/2024: David R. Brunk, age 63, of Dameron, is facing a series of traffic and alcohol-related charges after a late-night incident on October 20, 2024. According to court documents from the District Court for St. Mary’s County, Brunk was charged after an accident on Route 235 near Trapp Road in St. Mary’s County. David R. Brunk was charged with the following: Reckless Driving Negligent Driving Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign...
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Clements Man Arrested for Assault After Female Victim Suffers Severe Injuries

Jonathan David Pease, 39, of Clements, was arrested on October 18, 2024, and charged with first and second-degree assault following a violent incident on October 15, 2024, at his residence on Mount Chance Court in Clements. According to court documents, Pease allegedly assaulted a female victim during a heated argument, resulting in serious injuries that required emergency medical attention. Deputy Cody Donaldson of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident after being contacted by the victim’s...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle at Crash Scene

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:07 p.m., police responded to the intersection of Patuxent Beach Road and South Patuxent Beach Road in California, Maryland, for a reported motor vehicle collision with no injuries. Troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack arrived at the scene and discovered a two-vehicle collision involving a 2021 Nissan Rogue SUV and a 2012 Chrysler 200 sedan. Both drivers confirmed no injuries, and an accident report was completed. At 10:59 p.m., as the...
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All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in St. Mary’s County 10/11/2024 to 10/17/2024

Each week, SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in St. Mary’s County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community informed about local law enforcement activities. This list includes arrests made by both the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, providing a comprehensive look at the incidents impacting our community. Between Friday, October 11, 2024 to Thursday October 17, 2014 there were 18 arrests made...
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Charles County Officers Catch Theft Suspects, Recover Modified Glock and Stolen Property

In the early morning hours of October 14, 2024, Charles County patrol officers apprehended two suspects, Dimiuan Paul Jackson, 24, and Robert Leroy Barnes, 24, both of Washington, D.C., after a series of car thefts and break-ins in Waldorf and surrounding areas. The arrests followed a high-speed pursuit and led to the recovery of stolen vehicles, stolen property, and a firearm equipped with an illegal modification. At approximately 4:21 a.m., officers responded to a report of suspects breaking into...
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UPDATE: One Flown Out with Serious injuries After Dump Truck Pushes Stopped Vehicle Into Oncoming Traffic on Route 231 in Calvert County

UPDATE: On October 15, 2024, at approximately 2:37 p.m., members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau responded to the area of Hallowing Point Rd (Rt. 231) and Seagull Beach Road in Prince Frederick, for the report of motor vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles. Upon arrival deputies determined one of the drivers involved in the crash was severely injured and requested the Crash Reconstruction Team. A preliminary investigation revealed a 2017 Kia, being operated by Juan Antonio Lopez,...
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DC Man Murders 25-Year-Old Woman in Lexington Park, Leads Police on High-Speed Chase Before Killing Himself

UPDATE 10/17/2024 @ 9:30 a.m.: The suspect has been identified as Kenneth Louis Price, 38, of Washington, D.C. UPDATE 10/16/2024 @ 4:30 p.m.: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic assault today at approximately 10:54 a.m. at a residence in the 46000 block of Rosewood Drive in Lexington Park. Upon arrival, deputies found Alasia Janell Milburn, 25, suffering from a gunshot wound. Milburn was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, where she was...
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61-Year-Old Man Flown Out After Serious Machinery Accident in Charlotte Hall

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at approximately 8:12 a.m., firefighters and emergency medical services from Charles and St. Mary’s County were dispatched to 13330 Olde Oak Drive in Charlotte Hall, for the Inaccessible Terrain Rescue Dispatchers advised to the responding units the 911 caller was Spanish speaking and advised someone was trapped under something in the woods, dispatchers were attempting to gather more information and a better location. La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Chief 1A arrived on the scene...
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St. Mary’s County Mourns the Loss of a True Public Servant: Corporal Wayne Milam

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of retired Corporal Wayne Milam, a respected and beloved figure in our law enforcement community. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, along with friends and colleagues, mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to protecting others and mentoring future generations of officers. Corporal Milam’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career and life that touched many within St. Mary’s County...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Two Vehicle Collision in La Plata

On Monday, October 14, 2024 at approximately 7:25 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 9385 Industrial Parkway and Route 301 in La Plata, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. The assignment was quickly upgraded to a serious motor vehicle collision after 911 callers reported one trapped and unconscious. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a two-vehicle collision requested a helicopter shortly after their arrival. Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 2 landed...
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UPDATE: Piney Point Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison After Admitting to Performing Sexual Acts on His Dog

UPDATE 10/15/2024: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Sean Patrick Kraese, 24, of Piney Point, Maryland, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of seven years in prison after his conviction for animal cruelty and obscene material charges related to performing sexual acts on his pet dog. “The Defendant was convicted of distribution of obscene material, possession of obscene material with intent to distribute, and two counts of aggravated animal cruelty following a bench trial. I want to thank...
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All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in St. Mary’s County 10/4/2024 to 10/10/2024

Each week, SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in St. Mary’s County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community informed about local law enforcement activities. This list includes arrests made by both the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, providing a comprehensive look at the incidents impacting our community. October 4, 2024 Daniel Sylvester Young, 60, of Great Mills, Maryland, was arrested and charged...
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Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Employee Pleads Guilty to Leaking Confidential Information

Dameshia Cooper, 35, of Waldorf, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to one count of disclosing confidential information held by the D.C. Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), which is an independent federal entity within the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA), announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Acting Special...
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Make a Difference This Winter: Volunteer Drivers Needed for WARM in St. Mary’s County

With colder weather settling in, St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Aging & Human Services (DAHS) is seeking volunteer drivers for Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many (WARM), an emergency shelter program for people experiencing homelessness in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. This year’s WARM season begins Sunday, November 10, 2024, and runs through Monday, March 27,...
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Former Prince George’s County Elementary School Teacher Indicted For Coercion And Enticement Of A Child And For Possession Of Child Pornography

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 26, 2024, charging Mark Edward Cobb, age 44, of Bowie, Maryland, for coercion and enticement of a child and for possession of child pornography. The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy...
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Calvert County to Hold Free Residential Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Oct. 2024

The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will host a free household hazardous waste collection event for county residents Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The event will be held at Appeal Landfill, located at 401 Sweetwater Road in Lusby, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hazardous household products are common in many...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Arson, and Drug Possession

On October 20, 2024, Cesar Augusto Gonzalez-Lopez, 34, of Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with burglary, attempted arson, and drug possession, after threatening to burn down a home, breaking into the property, and causing significant damage. According to court documents, the incident stemmed from an argument between Gonzalez-Lopez and the homeowner the previous...
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Lexington Park Man Faces Multiple Charges After Traffic Incident in Leonardtown

On October 16, 2024, Marvin Laquawn Rash, 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested following a traffic incident in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Rash is facing several charges, including failing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest, and obstructing a police investigation. The incident occurred on Maryland Route 5 near 26825 Point Lookout Road...
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Waldorf Man Faces Multiple Assault Charges Following Domestic Assault

Christian Donovan Johnson, age 28, of Waldorf, was arrested on October 5, 2024, following an alleged domestic assault involving his mother. According to court documents, Johnson has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and resisting arrest. The incident occurred on Augsburg Court in Waldorf. According to court documents, on October 5, 2024, officers...
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Port Republic Man Arrested for Trespassing and Drug Possession in Ridge

On October 5, 2024, Parris Commodore, 54, of Port Republic, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including fourth-degree burglary, drug possession, trespassing, and obstructing law enforcement. The charges stem from an incident in Ridge, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. According to the Maryland State Police, officers responded to a call at approximately 9:33 a.m....
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Lexington Park Resident Charged with Drug Possession and Identity Fraud in St. Mary’s County

On October 15, 2024, Sara Wagner Zetty, 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges following a traffic stop on Lexwood Drive in an area known for drug activity. According to court documents, Deputy Wimberly conducted a traffic stop on a silver Honda Odyssey, which was...
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Man Faces Charges After Incidents at Holiday Inn and Dunkin Donuts in Prince Frederick

On October 7, 2024, Dustin John-Caleb Halfhill, 33, of Coos Bay, Oregon, was arrested in Prince Frederick, Maryland, following multiple disturbances at local businesses. According to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, officers were called to a Dunkin Donuts located on Old Field Lane after employees reported a disorderly individual causing a scene inside the...
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Five Suspects Arrested for Dozens of ATM Robberies, Auto Thefts in DMV Area

October 15th, 2024: Federal law enforcement arrested the fourth and fifth defendants charged in connection with a series of burglaries and robberies of commercial businesses, ATMs, and vehicles in the D.C. and Maryland area. Jonathan Winston, 35, of Hagerstown, Maryland Jeffery Felder, 37, of Bowie, Maryland Winston and Felder were arrested early in the...
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Results of Chesapeake Bay 2024 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Show Little Change

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2024 young-of-year index is 2.0, well below the long-term average of 11.0, and marks the sixth consecutive year of poor reproduction. “These results underscore the complexity of managing...
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Rural Legacy Farmers and Partners Celebrate 25 Years of Preserving Maryland’s Bucolic Landscape and Working Farms

Whether it’s waterfront farmland , culturally important land where Harriet Tubman resided, a working farm in Baltimore County, or a stretch of quiet woodlands in Western Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rural Legacy Program has been protecting it for a quarter century. The Maryland Rural Legacy Program protects the viability of agriculture while...
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Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Chief Gould Honored with Hometown Hero Award

The St. Mary’s County Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) has named Fire Chief Joe Gould the first recipient of its Hometown Hero Award in the firefighter category. Chief Gould will be officially honored on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to the fire service and his unwavering commitment to...
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Charles County Man Faces Multiple Assault Charges After Domestic Dispute

On October 7, 2024, Antonio Jerrel Kornegay, 45, of Waldorf, was arrested following an alleged domestic assault at a residence on Tumbleweed Place. According to court documents, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault in progress at the home. Upon arrival, officers encountered Kornegay attempting to leave the scene...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Chainsaw Accident in Dameron

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the 50000 block of Malone Bay Court in Dameron, for the reported traumatic injuries with serious bleeding. 911 callers reported a 68-year-old male suffered a large cut after an accident involving a chainsaw. Crews arrived on the scene to...
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Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Destruction of Property Cases at 925 Park and Ride

On Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., officers responded to the Park and Ride on Route 925 in Waldorf, after being alerted there was a car in the lot with a window that had been broken out. Officers arrived and found seven cars with windows that were damaged or destroyed. Officers are continuing...
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