James Donelle Pinkney, 53, of Great Mills
James Donelle Pinkney, 53, of Great Mills, has been charged with fraudulently assuming another person’s identity to avoid prosecution, obstructing and hindering, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting or interfering with arrest, and possession of contraband in a place of confinement, according to District Court records filed in St. Mary’s County.
According to the statement of probable cause filed by Deputy Jordan Wagner of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 1:28 a.m. on May 2, 2026, when a 2018 gray Ford Escape was observed traveling on Pegg Road near Lexington Drive with inadequate rear plate illumination. The deputy wrote that the vehicle’s rear registration plate was not readable at night from more than 50 feet away.
Court documents state that the deputy activated emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled into the Pegg Road entrance of the Quik Shop on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, but allegedly continued in a slow roll before stopping.
Deputies made contact with the occupants of the vehicle. Pinkney, who was seated as the driver’s side rear passenger, allegedly provided another person’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Because that person is identified in the charging documents as the person whose identity was allegedly used, the name is being withheld. Court records state Pinkney allegedly gave the information to avoid identification, apprehension, or prosecution in connection with an outstanding warrant for driving without a required license.
The statement of probable cause says deputies could not verify the identity Pinkney initially provided through MVA, local history, or other law enforcement records. Pinkney allegedly said he did not have identification and did not have anything on him with his name on it. The deputy wrote that Pinkney appeared nervous, had a blank stare, avoided eye contact, and stuttered.
After Deputy A. Ocasio had Pinkney step out of the vehicle, Deputy Wagner questioned him about the name he provided and advised him that he believed the name was false, according to court documents. Pinkney then allegedly ran from police, prompting a foot chase. Court records state Deputy Ocasio used physical force to take Pinkney into custody and that Pinkney allegedly continued to resist, stood up at one point, and attempted to run again before being taken to the ground a second time.
The charging documents state Pinkney was eventually handcuffed, and deputies learned he had an active arrest warrant. While he was being taken into custody, a plastic straw and a plastic tie-off baggie containing an off-white substance suspected to be crack cocaine allegedly fell from his person.
A search after the arrest allegedly found a folded dollar bill in Pinkney’s left sock containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Deputies also reported finding an off-white hard rock substance suspected to be crack cocaine in his right sock.
Pinkney was taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. Court documents state that during a search at the facility, a correctional officer recovered a plastic tie-off baggie containing several off-white rocks suspected to be crack cocaine from the area of Pinkney’s genitals after he removed his undergarments.
The charging papers allege Pinkney possessed suspected cocaine and crack cocaine, both listed in the documents as Schedule II controlled dangerous substances. He is also accused of possessing a cut straw allegedly used to inhale cocaine, providing a false name to police, resisting arrest by fleeing and physically resisting, hindering the investigation, and possessing contraband inside the detention facility.
At an initial appearance on May 2, 2026, court records state Pinkney appeared without an attorney and waived an attorney for that proceeding only. A judicial officer found probable cause and set release on a $1,500 unsecured personal bond. Records show the bond was posted the same day.
As conditions of release, Pinkney was ordered not to engage in criminal conduct, to appear in court when notified, and to abstain from alcohol or the abusive use or possession of narcotic drugs or controlled dangerous substances unless prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner.
