Marque Desean Gilmer, 38, of Suffolk, Virginia
Marque Desean Gilmer, 38, of Suffolk, Virginia is facing firearm, alcohol-related driving and traffic charges after La Plata police said a traffic stop on Crain Highway led officers to a loaded stolen handgun inside his vehicle.
Gilmer is charged with illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen regulated firearm, transporting a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and transporting a handgun in a vehicle. He also received traffic citations for driving 89 mph in a posted 55 mph zone, driving faster than reasonable and prudent, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, negligent driving, and failing to reduce speed in dangerous weather or highway conditions.
According to charging information, a La Plata Police Department officer was working a stationary radar assignment near Crain Highway and Catalpa Drive at about 12:15 a.m. on May 23, 2026, when he saw a silver Honda Civic traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. Police said a lidar reading showed the vehicle was traveling 89 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The officer stopped the vehicle near Crain Highway and Catalpa Drive and identified the driver as Gilmer, who was the only person in the car. Police said Gilmer had slow movements and slow, slurred speech. When the officer asked why he was driving so fast, Gilmer said he “was heading back from a funeral.”
While speaking with Gilmer, the officer reported seeing multiple burnt blunts in the center console and an Apple Crown Royal bottle on the passenger-side floorboard. When asked how much he had to drink, Gilmer said he had “nothing to drink,”. The officer asked again a few minutes later, and Gilmer again said he had “nothing to drink.”
A Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the scene after the La Plata officer requested another unit. According to the officer’s account, the deputy spoke with Gilmer and later told the officer that Gilmer was “definitely under the influence.” Police said Gilmer appeared unsteady as he got out of the vehicle and used his hand to balance himself against the car while walking toward the rear of the vehicle.
Police said Gilmer agreed to field sobriety testing but questioned why he had to take the tests. The officer reported observing signs of impairment during the tests, including four of six clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test and three of four clues on the one-leg stand. Gilmer did not complete the walk-and-turn test after repeated instructions because he could not keep his balance, according to the officer.
Gilmer was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Police said he was given the DR-15 advice of rights in English and was asked whether he would submit to a breath test. According to the officer, Gilmer said he was not willing to take a breath test.
During a search of the vehicle, police said a La Plata Police Department corporal found a gray cross-draw bag on the front passenger-side floorboard. Inside the bag, officers found a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun. Police said the gun had one round in the chamber and that a records check through the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center showed it had been reported stolen through the Suffolk Police Department in Virginia.
Gilmer was taken to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for booking. Police said that while removing him from the patrol vehicle at the detention center, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Gilmer. The officer also contacted the Maryland Gun Center, and police said a Maryland State Police report indicated Gilmer was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior convictions listed as two counts of first-degree burglary from December 1, 2010.
At an initial appearance on May 23, 2026, Gilmer was ordered held without bond after a judicial officer found a reasonable likelihood that he posed a danger to another person or the community. A bail review was held on May 26, 2026, and he remained held without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2026, in Charles District Court.
