Southern Maryland News Net

St. Mary’s County Correctional Officer Accused Of Stealing $3,640 From Inmate – Indicted On Theft and Misconduct Charges

Dayvon Maurice West, 35, of Lexington Park, has been indicted on charges of theft of $1,500 to under $25,000 and misconduct in office after prosecutors alleged he stole cash from an incarcerated woman’s belongings while working as a correctional officer at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. West, who lives in Lexington Park, was charged by criminal summons after a grand jury returned the indictment. He is scheduled for an initial appearance on July 20, 2026, in...
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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 the scene. The NTSB leads the ongoing investigation. (BOWIE, MD) – Maryland State Police responded to a fatal plane crash that claimed three lives in...
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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 and early June 2026. Across those three requests, the Sheriff’s Office listed 69 individuals. However, 21 booking photographs were not provided. That means nearly one-third...
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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 upper body and remains in critical condition. The second victim suffered a minor injury to the lower body and refused treatment. Anyone with information is...
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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 as the 100 deadliest days. The summer months historically bring increased traffic volumes and crashes, as residents and visitors travel for vacations, holidays and recreational activities....
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10-Year-Old T.C. Martin Elementary School Student Flown to Children’s Center After Alleged Assault

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at approximately 11:45 a.m., emergency medical services responded to the T.C. Martin Elementary School located at 6315 Olivers Shop Road in Bryantown, for the reported injuries after a fall. 911 callers reported a “10-year-old female student was conscious and alert after she tripped and fell on her face.” The caller reported she had swelling to her thigh as well. EMS arrived on the scene and found the child was suffering from a serious injury...
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North Beach Man Arrested After Drug Dealing Allegations Tied To Tiki Bar and Plaza Mexico in Calvert County

Adolfo Lopez-Olguin, 42, of North Beach, has been charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics, possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of possessing or using a false government identification document after a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began in 2025 and ended with a traffic stop in Huntingtown on June 10, 2026. According to charging documents, the case began after the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement...
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Convicted Drug Dealer on Parole Arrested in New Cocaine Distribution Case in St. Mary’s County

Joseph Valentino Thomas, 37, of Dowell, is facing new charges in St. Mary’s County after authorities say he fled from a traffic stop in Leonardtown and was later linked to multiple bags of cocaine and crack cocaine found near where his vehicle had stopped. Thomas is charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics, possession of a controlled substance other than cannabis, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving on a suspended license and privilege, driving while suspended,...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer After Pulling Over Cop in Silver Spring

UPDATE 6/17/2026: Melvin Andrew Oshea Pinkney, 43, of California, has been charged with impersonating a police officer after Montgomery County police said he used red and blue lights to pull over a covert police vehicle in downtown Silver Spring on June 15, 2026. The misdemeanor charge carries a possible penalty of up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine. According to the allegations, a Montgomery County police officer and other members of special assignment teams were conducting...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Head-On Minibike Collision That Left 16-Year-Old in Serious Condition, 19-Year-Old Dead

UPDATE 6/16/2026 @ 12:30 p.m.: On Monday, June 15, 2026, at approximately 11:21 p.m., Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack along with deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Maryland Route 224 (Riverside Rd) in the area of Wilson Landing Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the circumstances, TFC A. Sabock, Advanced Collision Investigator (ACI) responded to assume the investigation. A preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers indicates a 2021...
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UPDATE: Valley Lee Man Sentenced to 90-Years For His Role in Quadruple Attempted Homicide in Lexington Park

UPDATE 6/16/2026: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Cameron David-Louis Curtis, 23, of Valley Lee, Maryland, was sentenced to 90 years in prison with 30 years of active incarceration for his role in the 2025 attempted murders of four St. Mary’s County men. Curtis was convicted by a St. Mary’s County jury of two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of...
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Home Destroyed and Two Pets Rescued After House Fire in NSWC Indian Head Base Housing

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, at approximately 7:10 p.m., firefighters from NSWC Indian Head and surrounding departments in Charles County were dispatched to the 4000 block of Parsons Road, located in the on base housing section of NSWC Indian Head, for the reported structure fire. A short time after dispatch, the incident was upgraded to a working fire as communications began receiving multiple calls reporting fire through the roof of the home. NDW Engine 201 arrived on the scene...
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VIDEO: State Police Make One Arrest – Police Stepping Up Patrols in Response to Shootings in St. Mary’s County

Following a series of incidents, including the shooting of two individuals, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has deployed extra patrols throughout the Lexington Park and Great Mills areas. On Saturday, June 13, at approximately 6:32 p.m., deputies responded to the 46000 block of Hilton Drive in Lexington Park, where they located two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were flown to an area trauma center. One victim has since been released, while the second remains hospitalized in...
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Clover Hill Dairy Cheese Products Consumer Advisory Expanded Due to Continued Risk of Foodborne Illness

Baltimore, MD (June 14, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Health announced today an expanded consumer advisory for all cheese products made by Clover Hill Dairy, located in Mechanicsville, Md., due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) contamination. The facility has agreed to initiate a voluntary recall for all of its cheese products. The Maryland Department of Health previously issued a consumer advisory on June 3, 2026 for Clover Hill Dairy requesón/soft ricotta cheese products. Due to the public health...
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Lexington Park Man Charged With Felony Assault, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct After Incident in St. Mary’s County

Javontay K Nolan, 19, of Lexington Park, has been charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of second-degree assault, two felony counts of second-degree assault on law enforcement or emergency personnel, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, and resisting or interfering with an arrest. The charges stem from an incident on June 13, 2026, in St. Mary’s County. According to the filing, Nolan was arrested following an on-view incident investigated by Maryland State Police Barrack...
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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 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, 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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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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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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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

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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