Southern Maryland News Net

Baltimore Man Charged in Multi-County 7-Eleven Credit Card Skimming Investigation in Calvert County

Becam Ciuciu, 20, of Baltimore, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after an investigation by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office into the installation of illegal skimming devices at 7-Eleven stores across Maryland. Ciuciu is charged with two counts of possession of a re-encoder/skimming device and two counts of identity fraud with intent to manufacture or distribute, according to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County . The charges stem from incidents reported on December 21,...
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Calvert County Conducting Death Investigating After Woman Dies at Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach

In response to the community inquiries for information regarding a recent death investigation, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an active and ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach. The investigation remains open at this time. The Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the incident. Investigators are currently awaiting the results of the autopsy and additional information from the Office of...
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UPDATE: Suspect Shot and Killed by Police During Attempted Warrant Service in White Plains

UPDATE 2/11/2026: On February 11, at approximately 2:30 p.m., officers were in the area of Newport Circle and Cobbler Place in White Plains attempting to arrest an individual who had an active arrest warrant and protective order stemming from escalating domestic-related incidents. As the officers approached, the individual pulled out a large machete and advanced towards them with the machete raised. Two officers discharged their firearms, striking the individual. Officers immediately rendered medical aid, including CPR, until emergency medical...
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Deputies Say Drunk Man Left Child in Truck Following Hit-and-Run with School Bus at Plum Point Elementary School

Brian Paul Davis, 41, of Prince Frederick, is facing multiple charges including neglect of a minor, reckless endangerment, and confining an unattended child following a series of alleged incidents on February 4, 2026, according to court documents. Davis is charged with neglect of a minor, reckless endangerment, and confining an unattended child in a motor vehicle. In addition, he faces numerous traffic-related charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving under the influence...
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19-Year-Old Clements Teen Arrest for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

Maryland State Police arrested a St. Mary’s County man this morning after an investigation developed evidence of the possession and distribution of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Leonard Nelson, Jr., 19, of Clements, Maryland. In consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in St. Mary’s County, Nelson was arrested and charged with two counts each of distribution and possession of child pornography, and seven counts of accessing and viewing child pornography. He was transported to the...
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Attempted Murder Charges Filed After Prince Frederick Stabbing Sends Two Victims to Shock Trauma

Brandon Lloyd Milbrook, 34, of Prince Frederick, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault following a stabbing incident reported on February 8, 2026, according to court documents. Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:31 p.m. on February 8, 2026, reporting an active assault involving a knife at a residence on Sark Court in Prince Frederick. When deputies...
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Deputies Recover Two Guns in Waldorf Home; 19 and 15-Year-Old Brothers Charged

Tareil Benjamin Moffitt, 19, of Waldorf, was arrested on February 6, 2026, after deputies with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a home in the 3400 block of Tulip Tree Court in Waldorf as part of a stolen firearm investigation that began in July 2025. According to court documents, investigators determined that Moffitt and his 15-year-old brother, were both involved in the case. The investigation began after a handgun was reported stolen from a Waldorf...
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Find Your Pawfect Match at Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter This February

Love is in the air this February at the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter with the return of its Pawfect Match adoption special, running Tuesday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 21. In celebration of Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Love Your Pet Day on Friday, Feb. 20, the shelter is offering $14 adoption fees for cats and dogs. Bonded pairs adopted together qualify for a BOGO adoption deal, helping best friends find forever homes side by side....
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UPDATE St. Mary’s County CodeRED Emergency Notification System Incident Update

2/10/2026: The St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) Department of Emergency Services (DES) is providing an update regarding the previously reported cybersecurity incident involving the CodeRED Emergency Notification System. CodeRED is a third-party emergency notification service used by local governments across the country to send emergency alerts. CodeRED has completed a forensic investigation, conducted by internal security teams and external cybersecurity experts, into the incident that led to the suspension of the legacy platform in November 2025. What Happened – According to CodeRED, an...
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14-Year-Old Charged After Setting Fire Inside Mattawoman Middle School, Police Recover Water Bottles Filled with Light Fluid and Gasoline

The Office of the State Fire Marshal charged a juvenile after determining he was responsible for intentionally setting a fire inside a bathroom trash container at Mattawoman Middle School in Waldorf. Thursday, February 5, 2026, around 8:25 a.m., police and firefighters responded to the school due to a trashcan set on fire. A short time later, Deputy State Fire Marshals were requested to assist the Charles County Sheriff’s Office following the reports of a fire inside the school. Investigators...
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Waldorf Woman Arrested After Stabbing Boyfriend in Face, Victim Transported to Trauma Center

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, at approximately 10:43 a.m., police and emergency medical services responded to Westwood Drive in Waldorf, for the reported stabbing. 911 callers reported a adult male was stabbed in the face by his girlfriend, with the suspect attempting to leave. Crews arrived on the scene to find the male victim having injuries to the face, with police reporting a second patient having a laceration to the hand. The suspect, identified as Latoria Antoinette Ford, age...
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Minor Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Rollover in Leonardtown Leaves Two Trapped

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 21370 Newtowne Neck Road in Leonardtown, for the serious motor vehicle collision with one vehicle overturned and one trapped. 911 callers reported a single vehicle overturned with one occupant trapped and unconscious. Due to the seriousness of the incident, a helicopter was pre-launched to land nearby. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm one vehicle off the roadway and...
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Serious Injuries Reported After Tree Falls on Vehicle in California

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 9:32 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area Wildewood Parkway and Hickory Nut Drive in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. 911 callers reported a tree fell onto a vehicle with one having injuries. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene within minutes of dispatch to report one patient having labored agonal breathing. Firefighters from Bay District and Hollywood VFD’s, along...
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High Wind Warning and Cold Weather Advisory Issued for Southern Maryland Region

UPDATE 2/7/2026: High wind warning remains in effect until 7pm this evening, with cold weather advisory remaining in effect until 10 am Sunday morning. WHAT…For the High Wind Warning, northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 7 degrees below zero expected. WHERE…Charles and St. Marys Counties. WHEN…For the High Wind Warning, until 7 PM EST this evening. For the Cold Weather Advisory,...
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19-Year-Old Leonardtown Teen Arrested on Nationwide Warrant for Sexual Abuse of Child in Idaho

On February 3, 2026, Jacob William St. Peter, 19 years of age, of Leonardtown, Maryland, was arrested by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland, with the assistance of the Department of War and the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), on a nationwide warrant issued in Canyon County, Idaho. In Nampa, St. Peter faces charges of sexual abuse of a child under sixteen years (felony), (Idaho Code § 18-1506(1)(b)). The investigation originated in December 2025 when a Nampa...
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Four Juveniles Apprehended Following Stolen Vehicle, Theft, and Attempted Vehicle Theft in Lexington Park

Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office apprehended four juveniles Monday night following an investigation into a stolen vehicle, a theft from a business, and an attempted vehicle theft in Lexington Park. On February 9, 2026, at approximately 6:10 p.m., deputies responded to a residential area in Lexington Park for a reported stolen...
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Former DOJ Contractor Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Theft of Cell Phones Valued at More Than $1.3 Million

Javan King, 42, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty in connection with stealing thousands of government cell phones when he worked for the Department of Justice, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. King pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. Judge Jia M. Cobb accepted King’s plea and scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2026....
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A Big Step for a Small Fish: Federal Funding Supports Decades-long Effort to Restore Blackbanded Sunfish

On a picture-perfect, mid-September Monday, a dozen staff from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service caravaned down a rutted dirt road in a Wildlife Management Area to witness a conservation milestone. Upon exiting their vehicles, attendees gathered around a few five-gallon tanks at the edge of...
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Leonardtown Business Association Announces New Business Updates in Town

The Leonardtown Business Association (LBA) is excited to share several positive business updates that highlight continued growth, investment, and momentum throughout the Town of Leonardtown. Domoishi opened today in the former SIP location near Dunkin’ Donuts, bringing a fresh new dining option to the area. Smash House recently celebrated its official ribbon cutting and...
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CSM Offers CDL Certification Courses to Train Students to Fill Critical Workforce Need

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will host a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) virtual orientation on February 11 at 3 p.m. for aspiring students to learn more about this in-demand career field. The CSM Center for Transportation Training, located at 5825 Radio Station Drive in La Plata, offers certifications in CDL Class A, CDL...
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Clinton Man Sentenced to 27 Years for Enticing Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

A Clinton, Maryland, man is headed to federal prison for nearly three decades in connection with child sex abuse crimes. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Juan Carlos Puente, 48, of Clinton, Maryland, to more than 27 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for producing and possessing child sexual abuse...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $10.9 Million to the State During January 2026

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $10,928,540 in contributions to the state during January 2026, and with five months remaining in Fiscal Year 2026, state contributions have surpassed the 12-month total for FY2025. Through the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 through January 2026), sports wagering contributions to the state are $89,533,261....
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Narcotics Detectives Seize Illegal Cannabis from Six Tobacco and Vape Shops

Following a five-month investigation, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section served multiple search and seizure warrants at tobacco and vape shops found to be illegally selling cannabis. There are currently 18 tobacco and vape shops in Charles County and six were found to be consistently in violation. In August 2025, detectives opened...
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Maryland Department of Transportation, State Leaders Announce Next Round of Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Projects in Southern Maryland

Transportation and safety leaders from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the State Highway Administration (SHA) joined local elected officials today to announce the five corridors receiving safety projects in the next round of Maryland’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP). The PSAP program, a priority of the Moore-Miller Administration, is designed to provide greater...
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St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Announces 43rd Annual Easter Egg Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is excited to host the 43rd Annual Easter Egg Festival at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 28, 2026. This rain or shine event will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is open to the entire community. This Southern Maryland spring staple will feature egg...
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St. Mary’s County – Free Document Shredding Event Announced on Saturday March 28, 2026

It’s time to clean out your filing cabinets and desks to get rid of confidential, private, or other important personal documents that you no longer need to keep! St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will host a Community Shredding Event on Saturday March 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. – noon at the St....
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Secretary’s Message: Cold Winter Could Boost Prospects for Striped Bass

Deep in one of the coldest winters in recent memory, many Marylanders are already thinking ahead to spring. But thanks to the frozen waters of the Chesapeake Bay, our iconic striped bass could be receiving a boost. Scientists believe environmental factors such as warmer, drier winters and decreased spring water flow rates are the...
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U.S. Navy Awards Contract for Next-Generation Fixed Wing Helmet System

The Navy recently awarded a $22.6 million contract to Gentex Corporation to deliver more than 5,000 Next-Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) systems and spares to support the fielding of these systems across all Navy fixed wing aircraft. The firm-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is intended streamline and modernize life-support capabilities for fixed-wing aircrews and will eventually...
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UPDATE: Lexington Park Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute

update 2/10/2026: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Jerome Damon Estep, 50, of Lexington Park, MD has been sentenced to 40 years in prison with 10 years of active incarceration for the possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On February 22, 2025, Corporal Travis Wimberly of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducted a...
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Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory for February 9-11, 2026 for NAS Patuxent River for Night Test Flights

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place Monday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs), simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely on...
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Spring Travel Made Easy: Recreation & Parks Announces Bus Trips to Philadelphia & New York City

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is pleased to announce two exciting bus trips planned for Spring 2026, offering residents the opportunity to explore two iconic cities with convenient roundtrip transportation and free time to enjoy each destination at their own pace. R&P bus trips are a great way to...
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Maryland State Police Raise Awareness On Safer Internet Day Urging Digital Safety For All Ages

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit raise awareness on Safer Internet Day with advice on how to exercise digital safety for all ages. February 10th is Safer Internet Day, a global rally that aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues as people of all ages surround themselves with a myriad...
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