Ruby Nicole Mason, 23, of Leonardtown
Ruby Nicole Mason, 23, of Leonardtown, has been charged with second-degree assault after police responded to a reported assault in progress at the Deluxe Inn on Crain Highway in La Plata on May 6, 2026, according to charging documents filed in the District Court for Charles County.
According to the statement of probable cause, Sergeant John Piersa of the La Plata Police Department was dispatched at about 9:02 p.m. for a report of an assault in progress in a motel room. Charles County Sheriff’s Office dispatch advised that the caller reported her boyfriend had thrown a drink on her and provided a description of the person involved. Another officer arrived and located the adult male victim, while Sergeant Piersa contacted Mason, court documents state.
Police wrote that Mason said she and the adult male victim had argued earlier in the day and that the argument continued into the evening. Mason told police the adult male victim argued with her over “jealousy issues” and because she was talking on the phone with her father. According to the charging documents, Mason said the adult male victim became irate and threw a large amount of Pinnacle liquor on her. She said the two then grappled until she withdrew, walked away, and called police.
Mason also told police that her 2-year-old daughter was present during the altercation but was not injured, struck, or hit by any substance, according to the court filing. The officer noted that Mason’s clothing appeared dry while he was speaking with her.
Police said the adult male victim had a cut on his left middle finger and blood on his fingers and hand. He told police that he and Mason argued because she was on the phone discussing issues with her father and he wanted to be included in decisions affecting both of them. According to court documents, he said Mason became irate, began screaming, and “swung” at him repeatedly. He said he grabbed Mason and restrained her arms to stop the assault, and that he knew his finger had been cut during the physical altercation but did not know what specifically caused the injury.
A witness who lived in a nearby motel room told police he did not see the altercation but heard it, according to the statement of probable cause. The witness said he heard Mason screaming for about five to 10 minutes and stated that Mason appeared to be the aggressor and frequently yells at the adult male victim.
Police said they inspected the motel room where the incident occurred and found items scattered around, a small black plastic container broken into pieces on the floor, a single drop of what appeared to be blood near the broken container and playing cards, and a sticky substance on the floor. The 2-year-old child was present in the room and appeared to be in good health and uninjured, according to the charging documents.
The court filing says Mason and the adult male victim both reported living together at the Deluxe Inn and had been there for about a year. Police said Mason was arrested based on the circumstances, the injury reported within the previous 48 hours, the possibility of further injury, and the officer’s assessment that Mason appeared to be the aggressor. A relative of Mason’s who also lived in the building took custody of the child, according to court records.
Mason was charged with one misdemeanor count of second-degree assault. The charge summary lists a possible penalty of up to 10 years and/or a $2,500 fine if convicted. The statement of charges lists the incident as domestic violence-related.
At Mason’s initial appearance on May 7, 2026, a judicial officer ordered her released on personal recognizance, meaning no bail amount was set. Court records show she was ordered not to engage in criminal conduct, to appear in court when notified, and not to intimidate the adult male victim/witness.
