Law Enforcement

Waldorf Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Involving More Than $1.5 Million in Losses

Waldorf Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Involving More Than $1.5 Million in Losses

U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Dementrous Von Smith, a/k/a “Meecho” and “El Meecho,” age 36, of Waldorf, Maryland, to 53 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in relation to the submission of fraudulent CARES Act unemployment...
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Maryland Forest Service Awards 52 Fire Departments with Assistance Grants for 2023

Maryland Forest Service Awards 52 Fire Departments with Assistance Grants for 2023

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 52 volunteer fire departments across the state to enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For 2023, the Maryland Forest Service awarded grant funds totaling $149,325 in match funding for $390,502 in total project costs. Generally the grants cover 50...
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Former Maryland Correctional Officer Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Civil Rights Violations

Former Maryland Correctional Officer Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Civil Rights Violations

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced former Correctional Officer Owen Nesmith, age 54, of Baltimore, Maryland, to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and to making a false statement, all related to his sexual contact with three...
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One Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in California

One Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in California

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, at approximately 12:33 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the intersection of FDR Boulevard and St. Andrews Church Road in California, for a serious motor vehicle collision with one overturned and one trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles involved with one SUV on...
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Police in Charles County Seeking Whereabouts of Suspect Wanted in Connection with Multiple Crimes

Police in Charles County Seeking Whereabouts of Suspect Wanted in Connection with Multiple Crimes

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit and the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force are requesting assistance with locating Brandon Gerald Jernigan, age 38, of Jackson, Mississippi, who has a warrant on file charging him with armed robbery, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony,...
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Police in Charles County Seeking Suspect in Connection With Violating Probation

Police in Charles County Seeking Suspect in Connection With Violating Probation

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit and the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force are requesting assistance with locating Robert Paxton Eakins, age 28. Eakins is wanted for violating his probation relating to an armed robbery. Eakins is 6’2”, 160 lbs., and has brown hair and brown eyes. He has...
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Police Seeking Identify of Theft Suspect Pictured at Leonardtown Family Dollar Store

Police Seeking Identify of Theft Suspect Pictured at Leonardtown Family Dollar Store

At approximately 1:50 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, the individual pictured below reached over the counter at the checkout lane in the Family Dollar Store in Leonardtown, MD, and stole an employee’s wallet and its contents. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about the identity and whereabouts of this person....
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Police Arrest Lexington Park Man – Recover Drugs and Gun

Police Arrest Lexington Park Man – Recover Drugs and Gun

On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Detectives from the Vice/Narcotics Unit, with support from the Criminal Intelligence Unit, Special Operations Division, and Patrol Division of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants on a residence in the 21600 block of Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. During the search, narcotics suspected to be...
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One Killed, Two Others Seriously Injured After Head-on Collision in Anne Arundel County

One Killed, Two Others Seriously Injured After Head-on Collision in Anne Arundel County

On December 13, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash in the area of Solomons Island Road near Owensville Sudley Road in Harwood. The investigation would reveal that a 2019 Ford Escape was traveling southbound on Solomons Island Road when it crossed the centerline and struck a 2013 Ford Fiesta...
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Maryland State Police Arrest Man On Child Pornography Charges In Prince George’s County

Maryland State Police Arrest Man On Child Pornography Charges In Prince George’s County

Troopers arrested a Prince George’s County man on Wednesday after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigation developed evidence of possession of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Jason Pereira, 40, of Laurel, Maryland. Pereira is charged with eight counts of possession of child pornography. Pereira was transported to...
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School Resource Officer Recovers Knife from Student After Altercation at Thomas Stone High School

School Resource Officer Recovers Knife from Student After Altercation at Thomas Stone High School

On Wednesday, December 12, 2023, at 12:17 p.m., two students at Thomas Stone High School were involved in a verbal altercation. The school resource officer and school staff were able to keep the students separated; however, one student pushed through and ran toward the other student. A third student got involved in the altercation...
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House Fire in Nanjemoy Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

House Fire in Nanjemoy Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 11:05 p.m., firefighters responded to 3235 Naomi Place in Nanjemoy, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story single family residence with fire showing. 40 firefighters responded and controlled the fire in under 30 minutes. Owner/occupant is identified as Amelious...
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Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision That Leaves 4-Year-Old Dead, Two Others with Serious Injuries

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision That Leaves 4-Year-Old Dead, Two Others with Serious Injuries

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred Tuesday in the Glenn Dale area. The deceased passenger is four-year-old Divya Akumbom of Lanham. On December 12, 2023, at approximately 9:20 am, officers responded to Glenn Dale Boulevard and Daisy Lane for a collision involving...
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Maryland Tax Preparer Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Preparing False Tax Returns

Maryland Tax Preparer Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Preparing False Tax Returns

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Ronald Eugene Watson, also known as Sabir Muhammad, age 59, of Brandywine, Maryland, today to 27 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for 23 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Judge Chuang also ordered Watson to...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 12, 2023

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 12, 2023

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) welcomed a very special guest to open their business meeting. Santa stopped by St. Mary’s County to wish our entire community a joyous holiday season! The CSMC then proceeded with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then held a...
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Two Injured After Driver Reportedly Runs Red Light in California

Two Injured After Driver Reportedly Runs Red Light in California

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and MacArthur Boulevard in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in the roadway involved in a T-bone style collision. Firefighters...
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No Injuries Reported After White Plains Residence is Destroyed During Early Morning Fire, Cause Remains Under Investigation

No Injuries Reported After White Plains Residence is Destroyed During Early Morning Fire, Cause Remains Under Investigation

On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 4:21 a.m., over 40 firefighters from Charles County responded to 4210 JK Rowling Court in White Plains, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the 2 story residence Firefighters controlled the fire in approximately 30 minutes and operated...
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Police Investigating Murder/Suicide Involving Father and 2-Year-Old Son

Police Investigating Murder/Suicide Involving Father and 2-Year-Old Son

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating a domestic-related murder/suicide on Sunday. The deceased victim is two-year-old Sterling Glover Petty of Frederick, Maryland. The deceased suspect is 38-year-old Kenneth Petty of Suitland. He is the victim’s father. On December 10, 2023, at approximately 1:00 pm, officers responded to the 1200 block...
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No Students Injured After School Bus Involved in Mechanicsville Motor Vehicle Collision

No Students Injured After School Bus Involved in Mechanicsville Motor Vehicle Collision

On Monday, December 11, 2023, at approximately 9:21 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Old Village Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a school bus. 911 callers reported at least 4 vehicles involved. Crews arrived on the scene to find one...
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House Fire in Lusby Under Investigation, Neighbors and Firefighters Save Three Dogs, One Dog Perished in Blaze

House Fire in Lusby Under Investigation, Neighbors and Firefighters Save Three Dogs, One Dog Perished in Blaze

On Sunday, December 10, 2023, at approximately 4:35 p.m., firefighters from Calvert and St. Mary’s County responded to 1395 Gregg Drive in Lusby, for the reported house on fire with animals trapped. The owner/occupant is identified as Emad Dides, with the estimated loss of structure and contents valued at $250,000.00 Smoke alarms were present...
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Charles County Department of Health Advises of Coyote Found with Rabies in Waldorf Area

Charles County Department of Health Advises of Coyote Found with Rabies in Waldorf Area

The Charles County Department of Health has been notified that a coyote collected on 12/2/23 in the Charter Oak/Scarlett Oak in the Waldorf vicinity has tested positive for rabies. There was another sighting of a coyote with a similar description around the 13000 block of Ballantrae Lane in Waldorf, MD. We urge everyone to...
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School Resource Officer Assaulted at Thomas Stone High School

School Resource Officer Assaulted at Thomas Stone High School

On Friday, December 8, 2023, at 12:08 p.m., a school resource officer at Thomas Stone High School was assisting a school administrator with a student who was in the administrator’s office and acting disorderly relating to an argument they were having with another student. The SRO was in the doorway of the office when...
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Independent Investigations Division Investigating Fatal Crash in Anne Arundel County

Independent Investigations Division Investigating Fatal Crash in Anne Arundel County

UPDATE 12/11/2023: The vehicle was identified as a 2011 Infiniti G37, with the operator suffering life-threatening injuries identified as Meziah Johnson age 23 of Baltimore, Maryland. The passenger died of his injuries and is identified as Damione Gardner, age 22 of Baltimore, Maryland 12/8/2023: The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the...
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Two Transported with Injuries After Motor Vehicle Collision in California

Two Transported with Injuries After Motor Vehicle Collision in California

On Sunday, December 10, 2023, at approximately 9:18 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Oak Crest Road in California, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with one possibly trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles involved with no entrapment. Emergency medical...
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UPDATE: Police Say Buggy at Fault in Motor Vehicle Collision That Injured Four People in Loveville

UPDATE: Police Say Buggy at Fault in Motor Vehicle Collision That Injured Four People in Loveville

UPDATE 12/10/2023 @ 5:30 p.m.: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: Deputies responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a horse and buggy on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 11:57 a.m. The accident occurred at the Point Lookout Road and Pin Cushion Road intersection in Leonardtown, MD. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle...
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