Chelsea Lynn Lawrence, 31, of Lothian,and Matthew Blake Bernstein, 41, of Upper Marlboro
Matthew Blake Bernstein, 41, of Upper Marlboro
Chelsea Lynn Lawrence, 31, of Lothian, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, and Matthew Blake Bernstein, 41, of Upper Marlboro, is charged with making a false statement to an officer, carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, and obstructing and hindering after a June 17, 2026 traffic stop in Prince Frederick.
A deputy with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reported he was patrolling in Prince Frederick at about 10:44 a.m. when he saw a white passenger car leave the Wawa parking lot and roll through a stop sign at Costley Way onto Stoakley Road. The deputy said he activated his emergency equipment as the vehicle continued from Stoakley Road onto Route 4. The vehicle slowed, moved into another lane, and eventually turned into the Medical Arts Building entrance on Hospital Road before stopping.
The deputy wrote that the vehicle “had ample opportunity to pull over” near Hospital Road but continued before stopping. He said that, based on his training and experience, that kind of delay can be consistent with people trying to flee, escape, or hide illegal items.
When the deputy contacted the occupants, the driver identified herself as “Angela Right.” She stated the vehicle was not hers and that she did not have a copy of her license. The front-seat passenger allegedly gave the name “Thomas Michael Underwood” and was unable to provide identification. The back-seat passenger was identified by a Tennessee identification card as Lawrence.
While speaking with the driver, Cpl. Buckler allegedly saw copper pieces on the floorboard that the deputy believed could be from a Brillo pad, an item the deputy said is sometimes used with a glass pipe to smoke cocaine. Deputies then asked the occupants to step out of the vehicle for a search.
As the occupants got out, Lawrence allegedly said she had a “crack pipe” in her purse. Deputies reported finding two crack pipes inside the purse and cocaine in her pants. Lawrence was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
During the vehicle search, deputies reported finding a spring-loaded switchblade in the center console closest to the male passenger. The Calvert County Control Center later advised that the name Thomas Underwood was not returning through any state database, according to the filing. The male passenger then allegedly said his real name was Matthew Blake Bernstein and gave his correct date of birth. Bernstein allegedly told deputies he lied about his name because he had a warrant through Prince George’s County.
The Control Center later advised that both Lawrence and Bernstein had warrants through Prince George’s County. Both were taken to the Calvert County Detention Center. Deputies said the narcotics and switchblade were collected and placed into evidence. The deputy also noted that “all actions and conversations were captured” on an agency-issued Axon body camera.
Lawrence was released on personal recognizance on June 17, 2026, with conditions that she not engage in criminal activity and appear in court. Her court date was scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Calvert District Court.
Bernstein initially was ordered held without bond after his initial appearance on June 17, 2026. At a bail review the next day, he was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal bond. His court date also was scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Calvert District Court.
