A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee in California, Maryland, has been charged with multiple federal offenses following allegations of mail theft and check fraud. Darian Smith, employed as a rural carrier associate at the California Post Office, is accused of stealing checks from mail along his route and depositing them into his personal...
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In a coordinated operation, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Calvert and Charles County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Teams, executed search warrants today leading to the arrest of four juvenile suspects, aged 15 to 17, in connection with attempted carjackings that took place over the weekend. The investigation, launched...
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Mark Johan Bysheim, 65, of no fixed address, has been charged in multiple incidents of indecent exposure and trespassing across Calvert County, Maryland, according to court documents. On September 9, 2024, police responded to the Exxon station on H.G. Trueman Road in Lusby after a witness, identified as Taylor Kimber, reported seeing a man...
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On September 23, 2024, at approximately 7:40 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call on Meadow Court in Hughesville. The suspect, identified as Brandon Wayne Blitch, 38, of Hughesville, allegedly fired a gun during an argument with the adult female victim. Three juveniles were also present in...
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The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has made significant progress in the investigation of a July 2024 shooting incident in the Lexington Park community. After nearly three months of investigative work, deputies arrested two suspects on September 24, 2024. The individuals charged in this case are Zemar David Tyshon Batts, a 19-year-old from Lexington...
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UPDATE 9/24/2024: Marlo Lionel Herbert, 46, of Mechanicsville, has been charged with misdemeanor theft after a must appear non-traffic citation was issued to him on 9/14/2024. According to court records, Herbert is accused of assisting Ashley Nicole Barber in stealing alcohol valued at $228.79 from Bradford’s Neighborhood Market in Hollywood on September 9, 2024....
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Joseph Daren Brooks, 22, of Lexington Park, has been charged in two separate cases involving incidents that occurred in early 2024. Both cases include charges of attempted murder, assault, and firearm offenses, with one case also involving a charge of murder. Brooks remains in custody as the cases proceed in court. Shooting in Hollywood,...
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Care Net Pregnancy Center of Southern Maryland is delighted to announce the grand reopening of its newly remodeled Boutique. On September 27, 2024, at 1 PM, the center will host a special event called the “Blessing of the Boutique,” and everyone in the community is warmly invited to attend. About Our Boutique The Boutique...
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Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred late Sunday night in the 22000 block of Valley Estates Drive. According to officials, at approximately 10:40 p.m. on September 22, 2024, police, fire, and emergency medical services responded to reports of gunfire in the neighborhood. Upon arrival, first responders found an adult male suffering from multiple...
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Over the past several months, St. Mary’s County, Maryland, has witnessed an alarming surge in gun violence and gun-related crimes. From shootings at local homes to armed robberies in public spaces, the frequency and severity of these incidents have left the community reeling and demanding action. The recent spate of gunfire incidents has raised...
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St. Mary’s County, once known for its peaceful and tight-knit communities, is now grappling with an alarming rise in gun violence. The surge in shootings has left residents feeling vulnerable and has prompted concerns about the safety of their neighborhoods. Columbus Drive, in particular, has become a symbol of this disturbing trend, with multiple...
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On the evening of September 13, 2024, officers with the La Plata Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Potomac Street after observing a vehicle traveling without its lights on. The stop occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. and involved multiple juvenile occupants, including the 17-year-old driver, who did not have identification. During the stop,...
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St. Mary’s County has recently witnessed a troubling spike in criminal activities, leaving many residents anxious about their safety. A series of alarming incidents—including murders, attempted carjackings, armed robberies, and shootings—have raised questions about the effectiveness of local law enforcement strategies. On a recent Saturday night, two separate attempted carjackings occurred in California, Maryland....
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On September 14, 2024, at around 3:24 a.m., a routine traffic stop in Waldorf resulted in the recovery of a stolen firearm and the arrest of two men. The incident occurred near the intersection of Berry Road and Scotland Heights when a patrol officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a black...
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Jaden Xavier Mason, 19, of Leonardtown, is facing multiple charges following a series of events on September 12, 2024, where he was involved in attempted vehicle break-ins and thefts in Lexington Park. According to court documents, Mason, along with a juvenile accomplice, was observed acting suspiciously at two locations that day. The first report...
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On September 18, 2024, at 12:40 p.m., school administrators at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School were alerted that a student was possibly in possession of a gun. The school resource officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (SRO) was notified and located the student who was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun,...
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In a recent meeting, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County discussed a proposal that could add the county to a growing list of Maryland jurisdictions where roadside solicitation is banned. This initiative, spearheaded by Commissioner Scott Ostrow, aims to address the potential dangers posed by individuals standing on roadways, medians, and intersections to solicit...
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Key Topics Discussed: School Enrollment and Infrastructure School Funding and Renovations Legislative Proposals for the 2025 Session Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2026 – FY 2031) Future Joint Meeting with Delegation 1. School Enrollment and Infrastructure During the meeting, a detailed discussion took place regarding school enrollment trends and their impact on the county’s education...
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Amanda Marie Shields, 34, of Leonardtown, is facing multiple theft charges related to a scheme that allegedly took place between January 2, 2024, and May 9, 2024. According to court documents, Shields, who was an employee of Dunkin Donuts on Washington Street in Leonardtown, is accused of stealing cash from the business by manipulating...
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Carroll Ignatius Norris, 50, of Hollywood, has been charged with theft following an incident on August 20, 2024, at a Dollar General store located on Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. According to the criminal complaint, Norris allegedly attempted to steal a variety of household and personal care items, with a total value of...
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UPDATE 9/14/2024: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at the intersection of Midway Drive and Wasp Drive in Lexington Park on Friday, September 13, at approximately 9:50 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies located Jovan William Medley, 18, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, Medley was pronounced...
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The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals convened to review and deliberate on conditional use and variance requests submitted by Royal Farms for signage at two new store locations in Charlotte Hall and Lexington Park. Both applications sought approval to exceed the county’s 20-foot height limit for freestanding signs—requesting a 30-foot sign in Charlotte...
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Stacy Lynn Moreland, 48, of Drayden, was arrested on September 9, 2024, after Maryland State Police responded to a welfare check in California, Maryland. According to court documents, Trooper Blake Stricker was dispatched to 45310 Alton Lane at approximately 9:59 a.m. after a report of a woman found unconscious in her vehicle. When Trooper...
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Michael A. King, 51, has been charged following an assault on a fellow inmate at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. The incident occurred on the evening of September 8, 2024, within the detention facility. According to court documents, King, who was already incarcerated at the time, assaulted another inmate, identified as...
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During the September 10, 2024, Commissioners of St. Mary’s County meeting, they discussed the proposed childcare facility next to Leonard Hall was complex, and addressed both logistical and financial concerns. The facility, initially estimated to cost $1.8 million, has now escalated to a projected cost of $2.33 million. The building, designed as a modular...
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