Vontasha Romechia Simms, 58, of Waldorf
Vontasha Romechia Simms, 58, of Waldorf, an active Democratic candidate for Charles County Commissioner President, is scheduled for a July 10, 2026, status hearing in Charles County District Court in connection with misdemeanor charges from a November 2025 VanGo bus incident in La Plata.
The case remains active months after Simms’ arrest because of several later court developments, including postponed trial dates, a missed April 2026 hearing, bench warrants, a competency evaluation, and a June 5, 2026 finding that Simms was incompetent to stand trial. Earlier court entries listed Simms as held without bond, but updated bond information shows Judge Michelle R. Saunders set a $10,000 unsecured personal bond on June 8, 2026, and the bond was posted that same day.
Simms is charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, and trespassing on private property. The charges stem from a Nov. 6, 2025, incident at the Park and Ride on Washington Avenue in La Plata. The police account lists the location as 6000 Washington Avenue.
La Plata Police Department officers were called to the park-and-ride for a report of a disorderly woman. Officers said a VanGo bus driver reported that a woman had gotten onto the bus and was yelling at the driver and several passengers. The driver told police the woman was told to get off the bus and was not allowed to ride VanGo buses for the rest of the day, but refused to leave.
According to police, officers found Simms sitting near the back of the bus. An officer told her the driver did not want her on the bus because of her alleged behavior and instructed her to get off. Police said Simms complied, but continued yelling during the interaction. Officers also noted that several people at the bus stop were watching the incident.
While officers remained in the area, another VanGo bus arrived to pick up and drop off riders. Police said Simms attempted to board that bus and was reminded that she was not allowed to ride for the rest of the day. Officers said she was warned she could be arrested if she got onto another VanGo bus.
Police said they stayed at the location because of Simms’ behavior. Later that morning, another VanGo bus arrived, and police said Simms entered the bus despite the driver’s attempt to stop her. An officer boarded the bus, told Simms to get off, and placed her under arrest after she exited.
Simms was initially released on her own recognizance after her Nov. 6, 2025, arrest. Trial dates set for Dec. 26, 2025, and Feb. 11, 2026, were postponed. A status hearing on April 7, 2026, ended with Simms being marked as failing to appear, and a bench warrant was issued. That warrant was recalled on April 14, 2026, while a separate bench warrant issued the same day was served on May 22, 2026.
Court entries show a competency evaluation was requested in February 2026, and the Maryland Department of Health later submitted an evaluation report. On June 5, 2026, Simms was found incompetent to stand trial. The next status hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Charles County District Court.
Vontasha Romechia Simms, 58, of Waldorf
