Southern Maryland News Net

Leonardtown Man Convicted for Second-Degree Rape and Sexual Abuse of a Child

UPDATE 11/19/2024: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that a St. Mary’s County Jury found Crosby Dawson, 41, of Leonardtown, Maryland, guilty of two counts of second-degree rape and the sexual abuse of a minor involving a child victim. Dawson faces a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison and will be required to register as a Tier III sexual offender for LIFE. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Proctor, Chief of the Special Victims Unit, and Senior Assistant State’s...
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St. Mary’s County Elementary School Teacher Arrested on Assault Charge After Domestic Incident

Lisa Christine Nassuk, 41, of California, Maryland, who listed her occupation as a St. Mary’s County Public Schools Teacher in court documents at the time of her arrest, is facing a criminal charge of second-degree assault following a domestic incident that occurred on October 22, 2024. According to the arrest report, Deputy Hudson of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic disturbance at Nassuk’s residence in California. The complainant, identified as her partner, informed authorities...
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Helicopter Requested After Serious Motor Vehicle Collision Involving School Bus Reported in Hughesville

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at approximately 8:57 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from Charles and St. Mary’s County responded to the area of Gallant Green Road and Leonardtown Road in Hughesville, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious involving a school bus with subjects trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a vehicle and school bus involved. Incident command reported no children were on the bus, four patients to be evaluated with one being trapped....
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California Man Charged with Child Abuse After Assaulting a 10-Year-Old Boy

On November 1, 2024, Justin Wayne Bell, 40, of California, Maryland, was arrested following an incident at an apartment complex on FDR Boulevard. The charges stemmed from a reported case of child abuse involving a ten-year-old boy. According to court documents, Deputy Glenn Knott from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about child abuse at the location. Emergency communications had informed him that the boy, later identified as the victim, was in an apartment. Upon...
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UPDATE: Bail Denied for Leonardtown Man Charged with Attempted Murder Following Stabbing in Lexington Park

UPDATE 11/18/2024: Lucas Graham Hockaday, 23, of Leonardtown has been charged with multiple offenses after an altercation in Lexington Park on November 10, 2024. Lucas Graham Hockaday is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault. According to court records filed by Detective David M. Lawrence of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place at a residence on North Essex Drive. Hockaday is accused of attacking an adult male victim during the altercation....
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Attorney General Investigating Fatal Police Involved Vehicle Collision in Calvert County  

The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating a fatal vehicle collision following an attempted traffic stop that occurred in Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland, on Saturday evening. The preliminary investigation revealed that on Saturday November 16, 2024, at approximately 8:50 p.m., a deputy from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office was in a marked police cruiser sitting stationary in the area of MD Route 261 and 17th Street in Chesapeake Beach. The...
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UPDATE: Parents Speak Out About Hanging Incident at Barnhart Elementary School in Charles County

UPDATE 11/16/2024: New details have emerged about the incident involving a 7-year-old student at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland. According to a report by WUSA9, the boy’s parents shared their emotional experience, describing the physical and psychological impact on their son. The parents, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their gratitude that their child is alive but conveyed their distress over his injuries and trauma. “If you look at my son, he has marks under his...
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Jury Convicts Great Mills Man for Drive-By Shooting Murder of Teenager

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Keion Steven Brooks, 26, of Great Mills, was convicted of the first-degree murder of a 19-year-old victim and the attempted first-degree murders of five additional teenagers for his participation in a drive-by shooting that occurred on January 12, 2022. “I want to thank the members of the jury who rendered the verdicts of guilty on all counts. The jury intently listened to all of the testimony and considered all of the evidence...
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UPDATE: Court Clears Deputies of Wrongdoing in St. Mary’s County Murder Trial – Sentencing Scheduled for December 23, 2024

UPDATE 11/15/2024: The sentencing in the murder case of Latres Javontae Cockerham is moving forward after new evidence came to light. The State of Maryland recently shared additional information about two police officers who were involved in the investigation. After reviewing the officers’ internal records, Judge Joseph Stanalonis found nothing that needed to be disclosed to the defense, which shows there were no issues with the officers’ conduct that could affect the case. The police acted properly throughout the...
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UPDATE Police Investigating Large Woods Fire in Waldorf That Killed 94-Year-Old Man

UPDATE from the Office of the State Fire Marshal 11/14/2024: A team of investigators with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of an elderly male victim found during a brush fire at 11560 Acton Lane in Waldorf Wednesday afternoon. On November 13, 2024, just before 4:00 p.m., Charles and Prince George’s County fire departments and Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported brush fire. Firefighters later...
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Police in Charles County Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision in Indian Head That Killed La Plata Man

UPDATE 11/13/2024: On November 12 at 4:32 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 5900 block of Bicknell Road in Indian Head for the report of a single-car motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers located the deceased driver inside the car. A preliminary investigation showed the driver, James Stewart, 77, of La Plata, was traveling on Bicknell Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. Anyone who may have witnessed this...
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UPDATE: Wanted Hollywood Man in Custody After 5 Day Search, Police Recover 80 Firearms

11/12/2024: On November 12th, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m., detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jerod Adam Taylor at his residence on open warrants related to the ongoing investigation. 11/8/2024 – St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: On November 7, at approximately 9:23 p.m., Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to a reported domestic assault at a residence in the 20000 block of Goddard Road in Lexington Park. The suspect,...
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UPDATE: Mechanicsville Man Sentenced to 10 Days in Jail After Injuring Two in California Crash and Fleeing

UPDATE 11/12/2024: Dylan Alexander Biscoe, age 20 of Mechanicsville, was sentenced to 90 days suspended down to just 10 days with 18 months probation by Judge Karen Christy Holt Chesser. Biscoe fled the scene of a crash on September 6th, 2024, on foot before the arrival of First Responders. He returned to scene after walking out of the nearby wooded area. Deputies issued multiple citations on scene. Biscoe has been sentenced for Failure to Immediately Return & Remain at...
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VIDEO: Woman Arrested After Causing Motor Vehicle Collision in Hollywood

On Monday, November 11, 2024, at approximately 3:34 p.m., police responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Loveville Road, for the reported aggressive driver who was possibly impaired. At 3:37 p.m., the 911 caller then reported the same vehicle caused a collision with unknown injuries at Three Notch Road and Clover Hill Road in Hollywood, the caller reported the female operator was out of the vehicle and “had unrestrained children”. Firefighters and emergency medical services responded to...
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Man Transported to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Stabbing in Lexington Park

On Sunday, November 10, 2024, at approximately 6:37 p.m., police responded to the area of North Essex Drive and Hancock Road in Lexington Park, for multiple 911 calls reporting a large fight. Prior to police arrival, additional callers then stated one subject was suffering from stab wounds. Officers and emergency medical services responded to the scene to find an adult male in his 30s with multiple stab wounds to the upper-body. A helicopter was placed on standby. However, all...
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Traffic Stop in Owings Leads to Two Drug-Related Arrests by Calvert County Deputies

A traffic stop on November 14, 2024, in Owings, escalated into a drug investigation, resulting in the arrests Jay Norman Carroll, 62, of Glenn Dale and Pamela Illene Wall, 41, of Jessup. The incident began at approximately 12:54 p.m. when Deputy Madura, stationed on the westbound side of East Chesapeake Beach Road near St....
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Chesapeake Biological Lab Receives $1 Million Donation to Endow Professorship

SOLOMONS, MD – The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) proudly announces a landmark $1 million donation from longtime supporters Brian Hochheimer and Marjorie Wax (pictured right). This generous gift will establish CBL’s first endowed professorship, named in honor of Professor Thomas Miller, who led the laboratory as its director...
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CSM’s Small Business Deveopment Center Director Wynne Briscoe is Named 2024 Maryland Manufacturing Start

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director Wynne Briscoe was recognized Nov. 14 as one of the state’s Manufacturing Stars for 2024. As the Maryland statewide subject matter expert for manufacturing for the Maryland Small Business Development Center, Briscoe “has been an integral part to making the center’s technology...
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Testing of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Sirens on December 2, 2024

There will be a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Dorchester counties on Monday, December 2, 2024, at noon. This includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. All citizens should be aware of this scheduled testing and...
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Local Hospice Organization Announces Dementia Care Program for Patients and Caregivers

Hospice of the Chesapeake has launched a new and innovative dementia care program for dementia patients and their caregivers. The program, in collaboration with The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and Aliviado Health, includes free access to the “Dementia Care Patient & Caregiver Resource...
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Leonardtown Rotary Club Recognizes Heroes During Annual “Flags for Heroes”

The Leonardtown Rotary Club held its annual Flags For Heroes celebration on November 10. Flags For Heroes recognize personal heroes both past and present with American flags displayed at the College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus. The flags will remain in place throughout November. This year, 76 heroes’ names were recognized during the roll...
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St. Mary’s County Launches New Website for Comprehensive Plan Update: “St. Mary’s 2050 – Charting Our Tomorrow”

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) is excited to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update, St. Mary’s 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow. This update will serve as a roadmap for ensuring a robust economy, directing growth, and prioritizing preservation over the...
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Trailer Fire in Indian Head Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, at approximately 2:09 a.m., firefighters from Tenth District and surrounding departments responded to the 5300 block of Browns Place in Indian Head, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a working fire, and found all occupants had safely escaped without injury. Firefighters operated on...
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International Programs Student Interns Gain Experience, Enhance Learning

The NAVAIR SYSCOM Security Cooperation Office’s (SSCO) Junior Personnel Development Program (JPDP) provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain valuable work experience while earning their degrees, network with existing team members and strengthen their marketability post-graduation. “The mission of the SSCO is to advance U.S. Strategic Objectives by establishing and growing key allied...
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Police Investigating 25-Year-Old Man Shot in Waldorf

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, at approximately 8:38 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 100 block of Sherman Road in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 25-year-old male was suffering one gunshot wound to an upper extremity. The victim was conscious alert and...
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No Charges After Shooting Death of 16-Year-Old Accokeek Teen, Investigation Ongoing

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that took place Saturday night in the Largo area. The decedent is 16-year-old Kesean Hunt of Accokeek. On November 16, 2024, at approximately 9:00 pm, officers responded to the 700 block of Harry S Truman Drive for the report of a...
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19-Year-OLd Shot in Hollywood: Two Weeks Later, No Arrests and Growing Concerns

It has been over two weeks since a 19-year-old male was shot in Hollywood, prompting a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, yet no arrests have been made in connection to the shooter. Despite an initial arrest by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, charging an individual with accessory after the fact—a felony...
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Maryland’s Two-Week Deer Firearms Season Opens Nov. 30, 2024

Maryland’s two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, Nov. 30 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The two-week season includes Sunday hunting in all but three counties, affording hunters more weekend opportunities to hunt and contribute to managing Maryland’s deer population.m “The two-week firearms season remains one of Maryland’s most popular...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested After Pulling a Knife at Solomons Marijuana Dispensary After Disagreement with Management

Eric Nathan Smith, 45, of Lexington Park, was arrested on November 17, 2024, following a confrontation at Greenwave Dispensary in Solomons, Calvert County. According to court documents, deputies were dispatched to the dispensary at approximately 4:15 p.m. after reports of a man threatening people with a knife. Police arrived to find Smith, who was...
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Domestic Disturbance in Mechanicsville Leads to Three Arrests and Multiple Charges

A domestic disturbance call on Sunday, November 17, 2024, resulted in the arrest of three men at a residence on North Sandgates Road. John Edward Nichols, Jr., 34, of Mechanicsville, was arrested during the incident. Nichols, Jr. was charged with violations of protective orders and resisting arrest. John Edward Nichols, Sr., 57, of Mechanicsville,...
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Student “Hanging” Incident Sparks National Nonprofit Bullying Investigation

National Nonprofit, The One In Five Foundation For Kids, a national school violence prevention & student advocacy group, formed following the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School In Uvalde, Texas – released early Sunday morning, that after a student “hanging,” incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in St. Charles, MD, they say is relative...
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New Holiday Event ‘Evening Tides’ Brings Candlelight Christmas to Piney Point

St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, which oversees Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park, is excited to present a brand-new event this holiday season, Evening Tides: Candlelight Christmas at Piney Point. On Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., visitors are invited to a festive holiday evening on the grounds...
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