John William Loar III, 53, of Bushwood, was sentenced on November 1, 2024, to eighteen months behind bars following his guilty plea to charges of illegally possessing firearms despite a previous felony conviction. Loar, convicted of assault in 2009, faced multiple charges after authorities discovered firearms and ammunition at his residence, which he was...
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Lashawn Nicole Lewis, age 50, of Waldorf, faces two felony charges of second-degree burglary after her arrest on October 30, 2024, at an apartment complex in Leonardtown. According to court documents, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy James Morgan responded to a call reporting a break-in at on Hamptons Blvd. around 8:30 a.m. on...
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has enacted a new regulation requiring airlines to automatically issue refunds to passengers for canceled flights or flights that experience significant schedule changes. Effective October 28, 2024, this rule aims to streamline the refund process for travelers and enhance consumer protection within the airline industry. Under the regulation,...
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UPDATE 10/31/2024: Firefighters and emergency medical personnel found the male victim was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was flown to an area trauma center. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating with “preliminary findings indicate this appears to be an isolated incident with no broader threat to public safety.” according to the...
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Arlon Charles Menchion, 61, of Lexington Park, faces multiple charges of theft following three separate incidents across St. Mary’s County. Menchion is alleged to have stolen various items, including household goods and a car battery, from local businesses. Here’s a summary of the charges as detailed in court documents. The first incident occurred on...
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Laura Lynn Reed, 50, of Mechanicsville, is facing 15 counts of animal cruelty following an investigation into severe neglect of animals under her care. Reed was arrested after St. Mary’s County Animal Control and Sheriff’s Deputies found 26 living animals and 15 deceased cats inside her residence on Morganza Turner Road. The investigation began...
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In the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the time it takes for police or state attorneys’ offices to bring charges can be weeks or even months. This delay is due to the complexity of the investigation and the need for thorough evidence...
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Over a year ago, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office released the results of a community survey they initiated to gauge public perception of law enforcement in the county. Although the survey allowed residents to express their views, many now feel that little has changed since the Sheriff’s Office made this information public. While...
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SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in Charles County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community informed about local law enforcement activities. This list includes arrests made by both the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, providing a comprehensive look...
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UPDATE 10/28/2024: We are still waiting for some booking photos from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office that they have refused to release. 10/27/2024: Each week, SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in St. Mary’s County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community...
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The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit is currently searching for several individuals wanted for various charges. The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating these individuals to ensure that justice is served. Mariah Catherine Gray – Wanted for child support Sara Michelle Hapeman is wanted for FTA- Drug Possession Lloyd...
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John Edward Nichols, 34, of Mechanicsville, has been arrested and charged with several misdemeanors after an incident in which he allegedly violated a protective order, engaged in disorderly conduct, and resisted arrest. The arrest took place on October 20, 2024, following a disturbance at a residence in California, Maryland. According to the report filed...
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The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, provides several collection sites across Southern Maryland for safe disposal of unused or expired medications. According to the DEA’s official Take Back Day webpage, drop-off locations include Maryland State Police Barrack T in Leonardtown,...
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As we recognize National School Bus Safety Week from October 21 to 25, it’s a perfect time for drivers and students alike to brush up on essential safety tips that keep everyone safe on the road. With millions of children relying on buses to get to and from school, it’s critical that we all...
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On October 20, 2024, at approximately 4:04 p.m., Charles County officers responded to a report of an armed confrontation outside a Tractor Supply store in White Plains. According to law enforcement, Harold Andrew Howard, 53, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault and a race or religious crime after...
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On October 20, 2024, Cesar Augusto Gonzalez-Lopez, 34, of Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with burglary, attempted arson, and drug possession, after threatening to burn down a home, breaking into the property, and causing significant damage. According to court documents, the incident stemmed from an argument between Gonzalez-Lopez and the homeowner the previous...
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While the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged receiving multiple reports of scammers impersonating deputies and demanding money, their public warning has provided limited details about how these scams are being carried out. To help shed more light on the issue, one local resident, whom we will refer to as Brian, has shared...
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On October 16, 2024, Marvin Laquawn Rash, 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested following a traffic incident in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Rash is facing several charges, including failing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest, and obstructing a police investigation. The incident occurred on Maryland Route 5 near 26825 Point Lookout Road...
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Jonathan David Pease, 39, of Clements, was arrested on October 18, 2024, and charged with first and second-degree assault following a violent incident on October 15, 2024, at his residence on Mount Chance Court in Clements. According to court documents, Pease allegedly assaulted a female victim during a heated argument, resulting in serious injuries...
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Christian Donovan Johnson, age 28, of Waldorf, was arrested on October 5, 2024, following an alleged domestic assault involving his mother. According to court documents, Johnson has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and resisting arrest. The incident occurred on Augsburg Court in Waldorf. According to court documents, on October 5, 2024, officers...
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On October 5, 2024, Parris Commodore, 54, of Port Republic, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including fourth-degree burglary, drug possession, trespassing, and obstructing law enforcement. The charges stem from an incident in Ridge, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. According to the Maryland State Police, officers responded to a call at approximately 9:33 a.m....
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On October 15, 2024, Sara Wagner Zetty, 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges following a traffic stop on Lexwood Drive in an area known for drug activity. According to court documents, Deputy Wimberly conducted a traffic stop on a silver Honda Odyssey, which was...
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On October 7, 2024, Dustin John-Caleb Halfhill, 33, of Coos Bay, Oregon, was arrested in Prince Frederick, Maryland, following multiple disturbances at local businesses. According to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, officers were called to a Dunkin Donuts located on Old Field Lane after employees reported a disorderly individual causing a scene inside the...
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The St. Mary’s County Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) has named Fire Chief Joe Gould the first recipient of its Hometown Hero Award in the firefighter category. Chief Gould will be officially honored on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to the fire service and his unwavering commitment to...
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On October 7, 2024, Antonio Jerrel Kornegay, 45, of Waldorf, was arrested following an alleged domestic assault at a residence on Tumbleweed Place. According to court documents, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault in progress at the home. Upon arrival, officers encountered Kornegay attempting to leave the scene...
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