County

Waldorf Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault and Rape of 13-Year-Old Victim

Waldorf Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault and Rape of 13-Year-Old Victim

State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, June 12, 2026, Elmer Geovanny Marquez-Orellana, 27, of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea to Sex Abuse of a Minor and Second-Degree Rape. As a part of his plea, Marquez-Orellana will have to register as a lifetime Tier 3 Sex Offender. On January 19, 2026, officers...
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UPDATE: Family Displaced After House Fire on Father’s Day; GoFundMe Started to Assist

UPDATE: Family Displaced After House Fire on Father’s Day; GoFundMe Started to Assist

UPDATE 6/23/2026: On Sunday, June 21, 2026, at approximately 6:57 a.m., firefighters from Bay District, Hollywood, Solomons, Leonardtown, Ridge, and Second District were dispatched to 23165 Mirfield Lane in Lexington Park, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-story single family home with fire showing from the...
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Roots for Resilience Initiative Grants $4.5 Million for Living Shoreline Projects, Protecting Bay Communities and Habitats

Roots for Resilience Initiative Grants $4.5 Million for Living Shoreline Projects, Protecting Bay Communities and Habitats

Roots for Resilience, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources initiative to support climate adaptation on the Eastern Shore, has approved seven grants totaling more than $4.5 million to protect large areas of healthy saltmarsh habitat. These living shoreline projects will protect coastal areas and islands from shoreline erosion, providing a buffer for local communities...
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UPDATE: Police Identify Two Israel and One Canadian As Victims in Prince George’s County Plane Crash

UPDATE: Police Identify Two Israel and One Canadian As Victims in Prince George’s County Plane Crash

UPDATE 6/23/2026: Maryland State Police are releasing the identities of the three men involved in a fatal airplane crash in Prince George’s County this past weekend. The pilot, identified as Yoav Bomrind, 26, of Israel and two passengers, identified as David Rabinovich, 19, of Israel and Elad Naidik, 20, of Canada were pronounced deceased on...
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Police Seeking Information in Murder of 18-Year-Old Daijah Cherry

Police Seeking Information in Murder of 18-Year-Old Daijah Cherry

The Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Friday night. The victim is 18-year-old Daijah Cherry of Washington, DC. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. On June 19, 2026, at approximately 11:05 pm, officers responded to a...
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Sheriff’s Office Says It Cannot Provide Dozens of Booking Photos Because It Did Not Keep Local Copies

Sheriff’s Office Says It Cannot Provide Dozens of Booking Photos Because It Did Not Keep Local Copies

SMNEWSNET.COM is currently unable to obtain dozens of requested booking photographs from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office because the agency says it did not keep local copies of the photos after they were taken. The issue involves three closed Maryland Public Information Act requests submitted by SMNEWSNET.COM for booking photographs from late May...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Shot at Friendly Tavern & Liquors in Waldorf; Victim in Critical Condition

UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Shot at Friendly Tavern & Liquors in Waldorf; Victim in Critical Condition

UPDATE 6/22/2026: On June 20, at 2:14 a.m., officers responded to Friendly Tavern & Liquor located in the 3000 block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two male victims. The first victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds to the...
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Applebee’s in California, Maryland Permanently Closes

Applebee’s in California, Maryland Permanently Closes

The Applebee’s restaurant, located at 45480 Miramar Way, California, Maryland, is shut down and no longer operating. The location had served customers in the California and Lexington Park area for years as one of the chain casual-dining options near First Colony and the Route 235 business corridor. No official public statement explaining the closure...
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Calvert Deputies Say Dispute at Solomons Marine Store Led to Pepper Spray and Vehicle Damage Charges

Calvert Deputies Say Dispute at Solomons Marine Store Led to Pepper Spray and Vehicle Damage Charges

Mark Travis Grove, 41, of Mechanicsville, has been charged with second-degree assault, while Bernard Wood Jr., 24, and Bernard Wood, 60, both of Lusby, have each been charged with malicious destruction of property valued at $1,000 or more after a May 31, 2026, dispute outside West Marine on HG Trueman Road in Solomons, according...
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Lexington Park Woman Arrested After Breaking Into Apartment, Damaging Guitar and Phone

Lexington Park Woman Arrested After Breaking Into Apartment, Damaging Guitar and Phone

Jezenia T. Beale, 21, of Lexington Park, has been charged with third-degree burglary and three counts of malicious destruction of property valued under $1,000 after deputies said she forced her way into an apartment on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park and damaged several items on June 19, 2026. According to allegations filed by...
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Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Southern Maryland Until 9pm Tonight

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Southern Maryland Until 9pm Tonight

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester and Baltimore City in MD until 9:00 pm. Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible this afternoon...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Strikes Tree in Waldorf

Man Flown to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Strikes Tree in Waldorf

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, at approximately 4:55 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 1020  Stone Avenue in Waldorf, for the automated crash notification with a male overheard moaning and groaning. While responding to the crash, an additional 911 caller reported a vehicle was speeding and crashed into...
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One Injured, One Transported to Trauma Center After Six Vehicle Collision Involving Motorcycle in Waldorf

One Injured, One Transported to Trauma Center After Six Vehicle Collision Involving Motorcycle in Waldorf

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf, for the serious motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and multiple vehicles. Multiple 911 callers reported a vehicle struck at least 6 or more other vehicles including...
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One Suspect in Armored Truck Robbery Arrested; Effort Underway to Capture Additional Suspects

One Suspect in Armored Truck Robbery Arrested; Effort Underway to Capture Additional Suspects

The Robbery Unit identified and charged a suspect in connection with the armed robbery of an armored truck outside of a bank in late 2025. The suspect, 31-year-old Jerronta Bryant of Capitol Heights, is now in custody. Detectives are actively working to arrest additional suspects. A cash reward is being offered for information leading...
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Police Investigating Reported Strong-Arm Robbery at Lexington Park Royal Farms

Police Investigating Reported Strong-Arm Robbery at Lexington Park Royal Farms

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, at approximately 6:05 p.m., police responded to the Royal Farms located at 21779 Tulagi Place in Lexington Park, for the reported robbery. The 911 caller reported a black male wearing a black shirt and brown pants approached the victim, grabbed him by the shirt and stole an undisclosed amount of...
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Father’s Day Gift Guide 2026: Shop Local, Celebrate Dad

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2026: Shop Local, Celebrate Dad

Father’s Day is a chance to celebrate the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures who have helped shape our lives. Whether they’re teaching us how to change a tire, helping with a home project, coaching from the sidelines, or simply being there when we need them most, Father’s Day is an opportunity to say...
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Two Arrested Following Thefts at Lowe’s and Aldi in St. Mary’s County

Two Arrested Following Thefts at Lowe’s and Aldi in St. Mary’s County

Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were called to Lowe’s in the 45000 block of Worth Avenue in California on Thursday, June 18, at about 1:39 p.m. for a reported shoplifting. Upon arrival, it was reported that a male subject entered the store, placed various tools and equipment items in a shopping...
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Prince George’s County Residents Invited to Town Hall on Future of Former Six Flags America Site

Prince George’s County Residents Invited to Town Hall on Future of Former Six Flags America Site

Prince George’s County residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the future of the former Six Flags America site during a town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy will host the meeting alongside G.S. Proctor & Associates and representatives from the 35V...
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Maryland Department of Transportation Provides Ongoing Fatal Crash Updates During Summer Travel Season

Maryland Department of Transportation Provides Ongoing Fatal Crash Updates During Summer Travel Season

The Maryland Department of Transportation is Serious About Safety and launching, in partnership with the Maryland State Police, a joint summer initiative to publish fatal motor vehicle crashes statistics from across the State. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of roadway fatalities and encourage safe driving habits during the peak summer travel season, also known...
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Former Police Chief, PGPD Officers and Capital Police Officer Convicted and Plead Guilty in Connection with Insurance Fraud Scheme

Former Police Chief, PGPD Officers and Capital Police Officer Convicted and Plead Guilty in Connection with Insurance Fraud Scheme

A federal jury convicted a Maryland man for his role in conspiring to commit an insurance fraud scam. The jury found Davion Percy, 40, of Suitland, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with the auto-insurance fraud scheme. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of...
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Man Transported to Trauma Center After Accidentally Shooting Himself While Cleaning Gun in Waldorf

Man Transported to Trauma Center After Accidentally Shooting Himself While Cleaning Gun in Waldorf

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, at approximately 8:20 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 4600 block of Clayton Road in Waldorf, for the reported gunshot victim. The 911 caller reported a 41-year-old male accidentally shot himself in the left hand while cleaning a firearm. Bleeding control instructions were provided to...
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Watershed Education and Stewardship Grants Support Programming in Anne Arundel, Charles, and Prince George’s Counties

Watershed Education and Stewardship Grants Support Programming in Anne Arundel, Charles, and Prince George’s Counties

Two Maryland organizations will receive support for education and stewardship programming to enhance environmental education in the state. Outdoor education and stewardship funding is made possible from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant. Specific amounts will be contingent upon federal funding availability and approval. The following organizations were awarded funding through...
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D.C. Man Sentenced to 18-Years After Violent Multi-State Robbery Spree

D.C. Man Sentenced to 18-Years After Violent Multi-State Robbery Spree

D’Marrell Mitchell, 36, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 224 months in federal prison for his role in a violent multi-state robbery spree that targeted pharmacies and cell phone stores in the District, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “D’Marrell Mitchell and his...
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MDOT SHA Performing Concrete Repairs on Benedict Bridge Starting Monday, June 22nd, 2026

MDOT SHA Performing Concrete Repairs on Benedict Bridge Starting Monday, June 22nd, 2026

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will perform concrete bridge deck (riding surface) repairs on the MD 231 bridge over the Patuxent River at the Calvert / Charles County line starting 9 a.m. Monday June 22. This weekday work, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be completed by mid-July, weather...
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Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker Nominated for Fire Marshal of the Year

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker Nominated for Fire Marshal of the Year

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker has been selected as the Southern Regional Office nominee for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. She was nominated by Deputy Chief John Nelson, commander of the Southern Regional Office. Decker will join nominees from each regional office and the...
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