Benjamin Andrew Havenner IV, 58, of Newburg
Benjamin Andrew Havenner IV, 58, of Newburg, has been charged in Charles County District Court with first-degree assault and illegal possession of a regulated firearm after an alleged incident involving a firearm at an apartment complex in Waldorf, according to court documents. The case was filed May 4, 2026, and remains open.
Court records list the charges as first-degree assault, a felony, and illegal possession of a regulated firearm, a misdemeanor. The alleged offenses occurred on May 4, 2026, according to the charging information.
According to the statement of probable cause filed by Officer PFC S. Miller of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received a statement from an adult male victim on May 4, 2026. The victim reported that, on May 3, 2026, at the Ell Lane Apartments in Waldorf, Havenner allegedly pointed a rusty silver revolver at him during an argument.
The court document states that the argument involved the victim not moving his vehicle quickly enough as Havenner allegedly wanted to leave the parking lot. The victim told police he feared for his life because the gun was pointed at his chest. Court records also state that Havenner and the victim were roommates and had known each other for years.
According to the probable cause statement, Havenner was later located on Penn’s Hill Road near the residence on May 4, 2026. The filing states that, during the initial contact with officers, Havenner told police he had a silver revolver in the backpack he was carrying.
Havenner’s initial appearance was held on May 4, 2026. A District Court commissioner ordered him held without bond, citing a reasonable likelihood that he posed a danger to the alleged victim, other people, or the community. The initial appearance report also states that Havenner waived an attorney for that initial appearance only.
The court imposed conditions ordering Havenner not to engage in criminal conduct, to appear in court when notified, and not to intimidate the adult male victim. The court order also included the condition: “DO NOT ABUSE/THREATEN [the adult male victim].”
A bail review was held on May 5, 2026, before Judge Robert B. Riddle, and Havenner remained held without bond. A second bail review was held May 8, 2026, before Judge Sally C. Chester, who ordered Havenner released on recognizance. Court records show no bail amount was set.
The Public Defender’s Office for Charles County entered an appearance for Havenner on May 5, 2026. The State’s Attorney for Charles County also entered an appearance that same day. Docket entries show requests for a speedy trial, discovery and inspection, and a preliminary hearing were filed on May 5, 2026.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Charles District Court.
