Michael G. Pernell, 37, of Saint Leonard
Michael G. Pernell, 37, of Saint Leonard, is facing two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia after an April 29, 2026 traffic stop in Lexington Park, according to District Court records for St. Mary’s County.
According to charging documents, Deputy Joseph Senatore of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office reported that he was conducting patrols in a parking lot on Great Mills Road when he saw a white Hyundai Elantra fail to come to a complete stop before entering Great Mills Road from a private parking area. The deputy wrote that he stopped the vehicle near Lexington Park Elementary School on South Shangri La Drive in Lexington Park and identified Pernell as the driver.
Court records state that Pernell was asked to step out of the vehicle during the stop and later returned to his vehicle while traffic warnings were being completed. The deputy wrote that, while walking back toward Pernell’s vehicle, he saw a tied-off white grocery-style plastic baggie containing about one gram of suspected fentanyl on the ground in front of the patrol vehicle. The deputy reported that the baggie was found in the same area where Pernell had walked after being asked to move toward the patrol vehicle.
According to the statement of probable cause, a search of Pernell found another tied-off plastic baggie containing about one gram of suspected fentanyl, along with a tied-off sandwich bag containing nine individually tied-off plastic baggies of suspected crack cocaine, each described as about one gram. The deputy also reported finding a folded $1 bill containing a $5 bill in Pernell’s sock, with an off-white powdery substance inside the $5 bill. Court documents state that a field test later identified the compressed powdery substance in the $5 bill as fentanyl.
The charging documents also state that a search of the vehicle found a clear plastic baggie in a cup in the center console that was full of water, an empty tied-off plastic baggie on the driver’s floorboard, and $40 in U.S. currency in the center console. The deputy wrote that the $40 had been balled up in Pernell’s right hand during the initial approach.
Court documents say a passenger was also searched, and deputies reported finding a digital scale containing cocaine residue. The passenger stated he “retrieved the scale from the center console and shoved it in his pants because he did not want Pernell to get in trouble for it,” according to the statement of probable cause.
The charges filed against Pernell include possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine, and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, described in court records as a digital scale containing cocaine residue. The two distribution-related charges each carry a listed maximum penalty of 20 years and/or a $15,000 fine, according to the charge summary.
Initial appearance records show Pernell was advised of his right to an attorney and waived an attorney for the initial appearance only. The court record also states that he deferred election on a preliminary hearing. A commissioner initially ordered Pernell held without bond, citing a reasonable likelihood that he would not appear when required.
