William Lamar Herndon, 37, of Hollywood
William Lamar Herndon, 37, of Hollywood, is facing three misdemeanor charges after Maryland State Police said a traffic stop in Hollywood led to the discovery of suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to District Court documents filed in St. Mary’s County. Herndon is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, not cannabis, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the statement of probable cause, Trooper Shyann Phelps was on patrol at about 2:55 a.m. on May 1, 2026, in the area of Three Notch Road and St. Johns Road in Hollywood when she observed a white Chrysler sedan with an inoperable headlight. Phelps reported pulling behind the vehicle, activating emergency equipment, and stopping it near Three Notch Road and Sandy Bottom Road in Hollywood.
Court documents identify Herndon as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. While speaking with him, Phelps reported seeing two glass smoking devices in the center console in plain view. A search of the vehicle allegedly found a plastic straw containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine residue on both ends, along with two clear glass smoking devices containing suspected crack cocaine.
Police said Herndon was advised of his Miranda rights and knowingly and voluntarily waived them. When asked about the drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle, Herndon told Tfc. Piscopo-Bann, “it was his friend’s,” according to the statement of probable cause.
Herndon was then placed under arrest. Police said a search of his person found a folded paper towel in the chest pocket of his jacket containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Phelps wrote that, based on training, knowledge and experience with the Maryland State Police, the suspected substances were identified as crack/cocaine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance.
The charging documents state that Herndon was formally accused of possessing cocaine, possessing a plastic straw used to store, conceal, ingest or inhale cocaine, and possessing a glass smoking device used to contain, conceal, ingest or inhale cocaine.
Herndon was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center to be held pending review by a District Court commissioner. At his initial appearance later that morning, court records show he appeared without an attorney and waived an attorney for that initial appearance. He was found eligible for the Public Defender, and an appearance was later entered by the Public Defender’s Office for St. Mary’s County.
A District Court commissioner released Herndon on personal recognizance on May 1, 2026, with conditions that he not engage in criminal activity and appear in court when notified.
