Southern Maryland News Net

PG County Man Arrested After Multiple Cell Phone Store Robberies in Calvert County

UPDATE 2/13/2026: The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Melsun Shamel Perry, 34 of District Heights, in connection with multiple crimes targeting cell phone retail businesses in Calvert County. The charges stem from incidents that occurred on December 29, 2025, at the Verizon Wireless store in Dunkirk, and on February 3, 2026, at the Verizon Wireless store in Lusby. Perry has been charged in Calvert County with: Armed Robbery Robbery First- and Second-Degree Assault Organized Retail Theft Malicious Destruction...
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No Injuries Reported After Chimney Fire Extends Into Lexington Park Home Leaving Two Displaced

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 4:24 p.m., firefighters from Bay District, NAS Patuxent River, Ridge and Second District responded to the 21000 block of Constellation Street in Lexington Park, for the reported chimney fire. 911 callers reported a chimney fire was spreading to the residence, with all occupants and pets out and accounted for. Crews arrived on the scene within 5 minutes of dispatch to find fire showing from the residences chimney. Firefighters knocked the bulk of the...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Lexington Park

On Friday, February 13, 2026, at approximately 8:55 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to Point Lookout Road at Willows Road in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries. A short time after dispatch, the incident was upgraded to a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and one unconscious. A helicopter was placed on standby, however, Due to maintenance, Trooper 7 was out of service with flight medics responding to the scene by...
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UPDATE: Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Maryland State Trooper and Additional Vehicles in Waldorf, Crash Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE 2/13/2026: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred late Thursday night in Charles County. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by personnel from Charles County Emergency Medical Services. Identification is pending an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Shortly before midnight, troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to the area of Route 301 between Plaza Drive and St. Patrick’s Drive for a report of...
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Lexington Park Woman Indicted in 2025 Fatal Crash on Great Mills Road

UPDATE 2/112/2026: Zykera Sharnae Shubrooks-Nunley, 21, of Lexington Park, has been indicted on charges of negligent manslaughter by vehicle, criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle, reckless driving, and negligent driving in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in 2025. A St. Mary’s County Grand Jury returned a true bill indictment on February 9, 2026, in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, charging Shubrooks-Nunley in a four-count indictment. According to the indictment, the charges stem from an incident that...
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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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Lexington Park Man Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging Exploitation of 14-Year-Old in Alabama

A 42-year-old Lexington Park man has been arrested on federal charges alleging the production of child sexual abuse material and the transfer of obscene material to a minor, according to federal court records. Donald Bernard Mewhort Sr. was taken into custody and appeared February 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District...
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Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2026

Leadership Maryland officially announces the Executive Program’s Class of 2026, consisting of 53 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland. The Class of 2026, the Executive Program’s 33rd class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic...
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March 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

Spring begins to surface at the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) with a month full of hands-on programs, family-friendly activities, and live music. From fossil identification and animal encounters to concerts and special celebrations, March offers something for every age and interest. Dive in and discover what’s happening all month long at CMM. For the...
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Local Donor Sponsors Life-Saving Ballistic Vest for Calvert County Sheriff’s Office K9 Bane

With heartfelt gratitude, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy First Class (DFC) Ryan Jones would like to extend a sincere thank you to Beth Jazwinski of Lusby, for her generous support in sponsoring a life-saving ballistic vest for K9 Bane through Brady’s K9 Fund. After seeing a post from Brady’s K9 Fund on...
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Calvert County Health Department Issues Rabies Alert for Port Republic Area After Raccoon Tests Positive

The Calvert County Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for the Port Republic community following a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon. The infected animal was captured on February 10, 2026 on Independence Drive in Port Republic. To protect yourself, your family, and your pets, the Health Department strongly advises all residents...
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Donations Accepted for Calvert County Community Resources Toiletry Drive

The Calvert County Department of Community Resources is collecting new toiletry items for individuals in need in advance of its upcoming Community Resource Fair on March 27, 2026. Donations for men, women and children are being accepted. Requested items include diapers and pull-ups, diaper wipes, body wash and soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo,...
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Police Investigating 19-Year-Old Waldorf Teen Shot and Killed in Capitol Heights

Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the town of Capitol Heights. The victim is 19-year-old Ky-Mari Bowman of Waldorf. On February 4, 2026, at approximately 3:20 pm, officers responded to the 500 block of Abel Avenue for a shooting. Once on scene,...
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No Injuries Reported After Large Fire at Clements Lumber Yard

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:23 a.m., firefighters from Leonardtown, Seventh District, Bay District, Mechanicsville and Second District were dispatched to the Timber America Inc, located at 40350 Big Chestnut Road in Leonardtown, for the reported wood mill on fire. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to find a large barn...
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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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