Charles News

Company-Wide BOLO Helped Catch Lanham Man in Waldorf Credit Union Fraud Case

Company-Wide BOLO Helped Catch Lanham Man in Waldorf Credit Union Fraud Case

Fongie Victor Tengwei, 40, of Lanham, has been charged in Charles County District Court with four misdemeanor offenses after authorities said he used another person’s identifying information during an alleged fraud attempt at a Navy Federal Credit Union branch in Waldorf. The charges include identity fraud involving information theft valued at $100 to less...
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DETAILS RELEASED: Four Arrested for Attempted Murder After Drive-By Shooting in Lusby

DETAILS RELEASED: Four Arrested for Attempted Murder After Drive-By Shooting in Lusby

Krystal Marie Davis, 23, of Waldorf; Damar Malik Abney, 23, of Waldorf; Takwon Demarion Mason, 21, of Waldorf; and Quentin Antoine Harley Jr., 24, of Lusby, have been charged in connection with a May 3, 2026 shooting investigation in Lusby that investigators say involved a drive-by shooting followed by retaliatory gunfire during a vehicle...
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Officers Locate Suspect with Active Warrants /Another Subject Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute

Officers Locate Suspect with Active Warrants /Another Subject Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute

On April 28 at 8:46 p.m., officers observed Labrons Edward Butler, age 50, of Nanjemoy, traveling in a vehicle in the area of Bryans Road; he was known to have two active arrest warrants. Officers initiated a traffic stop and arrested Butler. A passenger in the vehicle, Lewis Andrew Washington, age 64, was found...
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Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Fugitive Case:

Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Fugitive Case:

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the location of Michael Avon Johnson, 22, of Waldorf. Johnson has active warrants charging him with several counts of first degree assault, reckless endangerment, carrying a loaded firearm on his person, and additional related charges stemming from a shooting that occurred on November 8, 2025 at a tobacco...
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Moon Mythology and Maryland Wildlife: Spring Moons

Moon Mythology and Maryland Wildlife: Spring Moons

The weather’s warming and the sunlight is lengthening, leading us all to spending more time outside. Continuing our exploration of the diverse and wonderful ecology of Maryland, we turn to the ephemeral spring moons and all they represent! Recorded in English as far back as 1779, Indigenous peoples of the Americas have named the full...
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Governor Moore Approves Affordable Housing Plan to Guide More Than $300 Million in Investments

Governor Moore Approves Affordable Housing Plan to Guide More Than $300 Million in Investments

Governor Wes Moore approved the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s 2026 Qualified Allocation Plan, which allocates State funding and federal tax credits to fund affordable housing projects. The plan will guide more than $300 million worth of investments in housing development by incentivizing project readiness and community amenities, increasing the federal tax...
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Detectives Make Three Arrests in Lusby Shooting

Detectives Make Three Arrests in Lusby Shooting

UPDATE 5/4/2026: On May 3, 2026, at approximately 10:56 p.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Patrol Bureau responded to the 11400 block of H.G. Trueman Road in Lusby for a reported drive-by shooting. Upon arrival, deputies observed shell casings in the roadway and damage to the exterior of the residence. Three...
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Alarm Company Quickly Alerts Firefighters to House Fire in White Plains, No Injuries or Serious Damage Reported

Alarm Company Quickly Alerts Firefighters to House Fire in White Plains, No Injuries or Serious Damage Reported

On Monday, May 4, 2026, at approximately 11:45 a.m., firefighters from La Plata and surrounding departments responded to the 11000 block of James Joyce Court in White Plains, for a reported structure fire at the rear of a residence. The first 911 call came from an alarm company who advised they were receiving multiple...
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UPDATE: Police Searching for Hit and Run Driver After Killing Man and Critically Injuring 9-Year-Old in Charles County

UPDATE: Police Searching for Hit and Run Driver After Killing Man and Critically Injuring 9-Year-Old in Charles County

UPDATE 5/4/2026: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash where the driver of a Dodge Dart fled the scene on foot last night in Charles County. The deceased is identified as Harry Washington III, 32, of Indian Head, Maryland. He was the operator of a Suzuki motorcycle. The passenger on the motorcycle...
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UPDATE: Man Succumbs to Injuries After Being Struck by Multiple Vehicles in Bryans Road

UPDATE: Man Succumbs to Injuries After Being Struck by Multiple Vehicles in Bryans Road

UPDATE 5/4/2026: On Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, at approximately 0045 hours, Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack along with deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Hwy) in the area of Wooster Drive for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating 36-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed in Charles County Motorcycle Crash

UPDATE: Police Investigating 36-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed in Charles County Motorcycle Crash

UPDATE 5/4/2026 – Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a 36-year-old man in Charles County. The deceased is identified as Patrick Murphy, Jr., 36, of Waldorf, Maryland. He was the operator of a Yamaha motorcycle. The driver of a Ford explorer, identified as a 69-year-old male,...
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UPDATE: Search Warrants Served Following Handguns Recovered from Charles County High School Students

UPDATE: Search Warrants Served Following Handguns Recovered from Charles County High School Students

UPDATE 5/1/2026: Update on recovered firearms investigations at St. Charles High School: On April 30th, 2026, members of the sheriff’s office served search warrants at the residences of two students involved in two ongoing firearms investigations stemming from St. Charles High School. In the first case, on April 29, the school resource officer recovered...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Develop Climate Resilient Fisheries Management Plan

Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Develop Climate Resilient Fisheries Management Plan

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishing and Boating Services Unit has been awarded $96,572 from the nonprofit Blue Convergence Fund to develop a climate resilient fishery management plan for the state. This project was funded in February 2026 as part of the 2025 Climate Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grants and is one of only 11...
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Road Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in White Plains

Road Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in White Plains

On Friday, May 1, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 10105 Marshalls Corner Road in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. 911 callers reported a adult male road worker was struck, and thrown over a vehicle. Crews arrived on...
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Celebrate National Italian Ice Day with a FREE Sweet Treat from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

Celebrate National Italian Ice Day with a FREE Sweet Treat from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will celebrate National Italian Ice Day on Sunday, May 3, 2026, with a free small Italian Ice offer for app users. Guests can receive a free small Italian Ice with the purchase of any treat at participating Rita’s locations nationwide. The single-use reward will be available through the...
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Maryland Department of Transportation Gears Up for National Bike Month with a Push for Safer Riding

Maryland Department of Transportation Gears Up for National Bike Month with a Push for Safer Riding

In celebration of Governor Wes Moore proclaiming May to be Bike Month, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced a series of events highlighting the importance of bike safety, equitable access and healthy lifestyles. The events further the Department’s Serious About Safety initiative to protect lives and reduce the number of road fatalities, especially for...
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UPDATE: Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 118 Years in Prison for 237 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography

UPDATE: Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 118 Years in Prison for 237 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography

UPDATE 5/1/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Dennis Demoine Smith, 66, of Nanjemoy, to 118 years in prison for 28 counts of Use of a Computer to Depict Minors in a Sexual Act and 237 counts...
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Indian Head Man Arrested After Shooting Inside Bryans Road Lounge That Left Victim Critically Injured

Indian Head Man Arrested After Shooting Inside Bryans Road Lounge That Left Victim Critically Injured

Rayvon Anthony Walls, 35, of Indian Head, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and carrying a loaded handgun on his person following a shooting inside a Bryans Road lounge, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident reported on April 19, 2026, at the “1313 Lounge” on...
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Maryland DNR 2026 Photo Contest is Taking Entries

Maryland DNR 2026 Photo Contest is Taking Entries

Photographers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy Maryland’s outdoors are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the annual Department of Natural Resources 2026 Photo Contest. Winning entries will be featured in the 2027 Maryland DNR nature calendar, which is published in late fall. All winners will receive free...
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Police Investigating Hit and Run That Sends Man to Trauma Center With Life-Threatening Injuries

Police Investigating Hit and Run That Sends Man to Trauma Center With Life-Threatening Injuries

On Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, at approximately 11:35 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Fairground Road in Bel Alton, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist. 911 callers reported a bicyclist was struck by a vehicle and thrown approximately 50 feet, with the...
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NSWCDD Graduates First Students from In-House Wartime Readiness Short Course

NSWCDD Graduates First Students from In-House Wartime Readiness Short Course

By Matt Lyman, NSWCDD Corporate Communications –  The U.S. Navy, in times of competition, conflict, and contingency or combat operations, leverages Maritime Operations Centers to equip commanders and staff with the resources needed to execute responsibilities as a component, Fleet and/or Maritime Component Commander. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division is applying the Maritime Operations...
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Charles County Public Hearing: Proposed Bill 2026-05 Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders

Charles County Public Hearing: Proposed Bill 2026-05 Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders

The Charles County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in a hybrid format, both virtually and in person at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland, to consider the Bill #2026-05, Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders. The bill amends Chapter...
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Waldorf Man Returns to Scene and Arrested After Fight and Property Damage at Lucky’s Bar and Grille

Waldorf Man Returns to Scene and Arrested After Fight and Property Damage at Lucky’s Bar and Grille

Brandon Cristopher Lopez Tay, 24, of Waldorf, is facing multiple charges including malicious destruction of property under $1,000, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, and violating a license restriction following an early morning incident in Charles County, according to court documents. According to charging documents, the incident occurred on...
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Waldorf Woman Arrested and Released on Personal Recognizance After Threatening Two Victims with Knife at St. Charles Plaza

Waldorf Woman Arrested and Released on Personal Recognizance After Threatening Two Victims with Knife at St. Charles Plaza

Trevia Symone Chase, 22, of Waldorf, is facing two counts of first-degree assault following an early morning incident on April 24, 2026, in Charles County, according to court documents. Charging documents state that officers responded to a disturbance around 4:03 a.m. in the area of Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, where a group of people...
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Baltimore Woman Arrested After $22,000 Bank Fraud Attempt in Waldorf – Released on Personal Recognizance

Baltimore Woman Arrested After $22,000 Bank Fraud Attempt in Waldorf – Released on Personal Recognizance

Nancy Kay Newton, 61, of Baltimore, is facing multiple criminal charges in Charles County, including drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity fraud, and making a false statement to a police officer, following an incident at a bank in Waldorf on April 22, 2026. According to court documents, officers responded to a report of...
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