Charles News

Charles County Detectives Arrest Two for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession

Charles County Detectives Arrest Two for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession

On January 2, 2025, detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section carried out a search warrant in a drug trafficking investigation that targeted a residence in the 12200 block of King Farm Place in Newburg, and a vehicle tied to the suspects. At approximately 3:25 PM, detectives observed Donnie David Campbell,...
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Domestic Violence Unit Arrest Fugitive in Protective Order Violation Case – Released the Next Day

Domestic Violence Unit Arrest Fugitive in Protective Order Violation Case – Released the Next Day

On January 1, 2025, officers with the Domestic Violence Unit, in coordination with the Prince George’s County Police Department, arrested Fernando Jose Echemendia, 24, of Fort Washington. Echemendia was located and detained based on active warrants stemming from his failure to appear in court for violations of protective orders and burglary charges. The protective...
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Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision in Indian Head

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision in Indian Head

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 2:22 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 7175 Chicamuxen Road in Indian Head, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. 911 callers reported a single vehicle appeared to hit black ice or a slick spot in the roadway, left the...
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No Injuries After Kitchen Fire at the Charles Restaurant & Bar in La Plata

No Injuries After Kitchen Fire at the Charles Restaurant & Bar in La Plata

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 10:23 a.m., firefighters responded to The Charles Restaurant & Bar, located at 417 Charles Street in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story commercial building with smoke showing. Upon further investigation, firefighters located a fire in the kitchen and...
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Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide – Jack Moore, age 63 of Georgia

Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide – Jack Moore, age 63 of Georgia

Today is the 22nd anniversary of the homicide of Jack Moore, a 63-year old resident of Georgia, who was visiting the area at the time of his death. His case remains unsolved. Your assistance can help us bring justice to Jack and his family. On January 8th, 2003 at approximately 10pm, officers with the...
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From the Yellow Farm House to the White House: A Journey of Conservation and Connection

From the Yellow Farm House to the White House: A Journey of Conservation and Connection

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, By Ranger Sarah Milbourne – Ranger Sarah Milbourne and “Mo,” one of Maryland’s bald eagles from the Scales & Tales program, visit the White House in 2023. Photo courtesy the White House. I can vividly remember the first time I saw a bald eagle in the wild. I was...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $164.1 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2024

Maryland Casinos Generate $164.1 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2024

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $164,105,250 in revenue from slot machines and table games during December 2024, a decrease of $1,523,913 (-0.9%) compared to December 2023. Casino gaming contributions to the state during December 2024 totaled $69,837,949, a decrease of $357,058 (-0.5%) compared to December 2023. The December 2024 contributions included $50,413,308 to...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Suspect for DUI, Firearm Violations, and Reckless Driving

Police in Charles County Arrest Suspect for DUI, Firearm Violations, and Reckless Driving

Lonnie Ray Dawes III, 35, of Woodbridge, Virginia, is facing a series of charges after being arrested on December 31, 2024, in Charles County, during an early morning traffic stop. Dawes was taken into custody after officers stopped his vehicle on Crain Highway near Mount Air Road. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office,...
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Bryans Road Man Released on His Own Recognizance After Stabbing Brother in Charles County

Bryans Road Man Released on His Own Recognizance After Stabbing Brother in Charles County

A family dispute on New Year’s Day led to a stabbing and subsequent arrest of Kaleb Thaddeus Hart, 20, of Bryans Road, Maryland. According to court documents and statements provided by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Hart was charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault after an altercation with his brother resulted in injuries....
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All Southern Maryland Schools are Closed on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

All Southern Maryland Schools are Closed on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

School closings and delays in Maryland for Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Anne Arundel County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The school system declared a “code blue” with liberal leave for employees. Calvert County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All after school and evening activities are canceled,...
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Two Injured After SUV Strikes Salt Truck and Burst Into Flames in Charles County

Two Injured After SUV Strikes Salt Truck and Burst Into Flames in Charles County

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at approximately 12:05 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Shepherds Creek Place in White Plains, for the serious motor vehicle collision with one vehicle on fire. 911 callers reported an SUV attempted to go around a salt/plow truck, when the...
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St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Government Updates for Tuesday, Jan.7th, 2025

St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Government Updates for Tuesday, Jan.7th, 2025

St. Mary’s County – Travel will remain difficult and hazardous; impacts to the evening and morning commute are expected. Extremely cold temperatures are expected beginning tomorrow and continuing through Friday. Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads, if possible, to leave access for emergency response vehicles and snow removal operations. NAS Patuxent River’s operating...
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Southern Maryland School Closure Updates for Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

Southern Maryland School Closure Updates for Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

UPDATE 1/7/2025 CALVERT COUNTY – Calvert County Public Schools is closed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. All after school and evening activities scheduled for Tuesday, January 7 are canceled. Code Red for employees. CHARLES COUNTY – Due to inclement weather conditions, all Charles County public schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. There...
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Large Outside Fire with Burn Injuries Reported in Mechanicsville

Large Outside Fire with Burn Injuries Reported in Mechanicsville

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Hollywood and additional Charles County departments responded to the area of Chelsea Place and Laurel Ridge Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported large outside fire threatening a fence with injuries. While firefighters responded to the scene, 911 dispatchers advised multiple callers...
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AUDIO: 38-Year-Old Male Flown to Trauma Center After Firework Detonates in Hand

AUDIO: 38-Year-Old Male Flown to Trauma Center After Firework Detonates in Hand

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, at approximately 10:13 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 6500 block of Marion Adams Place in Bryan’s Road, for the reported shooting. Prior to the arrival of First Responders, the 911 callers then clarified this incident was NOT a shooting, it was a firework related...
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UPDATE: Snowfall Estimates Increase for Maryland’s Incoming Winter Storm: The Latest to Know

UPDATE: Snowfall Estimates Increase for Maryland’s Incoming Winter Storm: The Latest to Know

UPDATE 1/5/2025: Estimates for total snow accumulation have now increased! St. Mary’s County is now anticipated to get 8-12” of snowfall, with the potential for 13” Snowfall will begin tonight (Sunday 1/5/2025) around 9:00 PM and continue through the early hours Tuesday (1/7/2025) morning. Winter Storm Warning beginning at 6:00 PM tonight (1/5/2025) and...
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VIDEO RELEASED: Teen Dies from Injuries After Crash in Charles County While Fleeing in Stolen Car

VIDEO RELEASED: Teen Dies from Injuries After Crash in Charles County While Fleeing in Stolen Car

UPDATE 1/03/2025: The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today released body-worn camera footage from the fatal collision that occurred Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in La Plata, Charles County, Maryland. The decedent has not been identified in accordance with juvenile privacy laws. UPDATE 12/16/2024: The involved officers have...
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Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse and Second-Degree Rape

Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse and Second-Degree Rape

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, December 20, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Monise A. Stephenson sentenced, 38, of Nanjemoy, to 25 years in prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Second-Degree Rape. Upon release, Skinner will be on supervised probation for five years. Skinner must also...
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19-Year-Old Arrested After Fleeing Police and Crashing Dirt Bike in La Plata

19-Year-Old Arrested After Fleeing Police and Crashing Dirt Bike in La Plata

On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 3:16 p.m., officers observed a male operating a dirt bike on Crain Highway near Port Tobacco Road in La Plata. Officers initiated a traffic stop at the traffic light, but the driver fled, immediately lost control of the bike, and crashed. The driver, who was not injured, was...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes 6 New Officers Following Graduation from Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Session 54

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes 6 New Officers Following Graduation from Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Session 54

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry is proud to announce six new officers will join the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) after their graduation from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (SMCJA) Police Entrance Level Training Program. The officers were among 17 candidates – four from Calvert County and seven from St. Mary’s County...
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Man Arrested Following Assault and Weapons Incident in Charles County

Man Arrested Following Assault and Weapons Incident in Charles County

David Michael Swiderski, 37, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on December 30, 2024, following a series of incidents at a residence on Hawthorne Road in Charles County. Swiderski faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault, possession of a disqualifying firearm, and malicious destruction of property, according to court documents. Officers with the Charles County...
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Man Arrested Following Robbery and Theft at Waldorf Grocery Store – Released on His Own Recognizance

Man Arrested Following Robbery and Theft at Waldorf Grocery Store – Released on His Own Recognizance

James Walter Counce III, 33, of Seat Pleasant, was arrested on December 29, 2024, following an incident at the Giant Food on Crain Highway in Waldorf. According to law enforcement, Counce allegedly attempted to rob the store, demanded money from employees, and ultimately stole a small amount of merchandise before being apprehended by officers....
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Police in Charles County Arrest Waldorf Man After Amber Leaf Place Shooting Incident

Police in Charles County Arrest Waldorf Man After Amber Leaf Place Shooting Incident

Deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office arrested Delvion Elton Proctor, 38, of Waldorf, on December 28, 2024, following a shooting incident at the Wakefield Terrace Apartment Complex. Proctor now faces multiple charges, including assault and firearm-related offenses. On December 27, 2024: At approximately 8:16 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were...
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Maryland MVA and Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office Offer Free, Discounted Uber and Lyft Rides for New Year’s Eve as Part of Annual “Drive Sober” Initiative

Maryland MVA and Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office Offer Free, Discounted Uber and Lyft Rides for New Year’s Eve as Part of Annual “Drive Sober” Initiative

For the fourth holiday season, the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office is pleased to receive a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association. In partnership with the association as well as Lyft, the grant will offer $20 rideshare credits and encourage Marylanders to Be the Make A Plan Driver by choosing an alternative...
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Governor Moore Announces Appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties

Governor Moore Announces Appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties

Governor Wes Moore announced appointments to the District 12 Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. John (Jay) Erly will serve as chair. “Our Judicial Nominating Commissions are critical to our justice system,” said Gov. Moore. “I thank each of our appointees for raising their hands to serve and for helping...
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