Southern Maryland News Net

Lusby Woman With Four Prior Felony Drug Convictions Over 25 Years Faces 13 New Cocaine Charges

Temeka Uganda Mason, 49, of Lusby, faces 13 new cocaine-related charges after Calvert County investigators say she sold cocaine from a home near Patuxent High School and used rental vehicles, social media and other people to support a drug-distribution operation. The new charges include four counts of possessing cocaine, three counts of distributing cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, three counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute near school property, one count of possessing cocaine with intent...
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UPDATE: Suitland Man Arrested on Kidnapping Charge After Posing as a Police Officer and Handcuffing a Woman

UPDATE 7/13/2026: Bryan Neal Gordon, 27, of Suitland, faces charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, second-degree assault, theft of less than $100, and soliciting prostitution following an investigation into allegations that an adult female victim was handcuffed, assaulted and taken from Charles County to Prince George’s County. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after officers responded to Master Suites on Old Washington Road in Waldorf at approximately 3:28 a.m. on June 29, 2026, for a reported kidnapping and sexual...
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Police Investigating Kitten Thrown From Vehicle on Woodrow Wilson Bridge; Cat is Safely Rescue by Officer

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, officers from the Maryland-National Capital Park Police PG Division responded after a citizen reported witnessing an individual attempt to throw a cat from a moving vehicle while crossing the Woodrow Wilson bridge. Thanks to the quick report from the citizen and the swift compassionate response of the officer, the frightened kitten was safely rescued without injury and is now receiving the care it deserves. We commend the citizen for speaking up and our officer...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Triple Fatal Crash in Prince George’s County, Investigators Seeking Vehicle Information

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Sunday morning in Prince George’s County that claimed the lives of three people. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police College Park Barrack responded to the area of Route 301 at Governors Park Lane for a report of a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. The preliminary investigation indicates that a black Tesla Model 3 was attempting to...
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No Injuries Reported After Lithium Ion Battery Explodes, Causing Garage Fire in California

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the 45000 block of Patuxent Lane in California, for the reported explosion investigation. 911 callers reported something exploded in their garage, with no smoke or fire, and no injuries reported. Three minutes later, the incident was upgraded to an explosion, non-dwelling structure fire after callers reported a fire in the garage. Police, emergency medical services, along with firefighters from Bay...
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UPDATE: Speed and Alcohol Factors in Serious Head-on Collision in Valley Lee

UPDATE 7/11/2026: On Friday, July 10, 2026, at approximately 3:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision in the area of Piney Point Road and Drayden Road. Crews arrived to find two vehicles involved in a head-on collision, with two individuals trapped and one unconscious. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2017 white Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Robert Lumpkins, 38, of Leonardtown, was traveling northbound on Piney Point Road when it...
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14 People Killed in Maryland Traffic Crashes, Including Eight in July 2026 So Far

Following a deadly Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Police are urging motorists to drive safely throughout the remainder of the busy summer travel season by following these important safety reminders: Obey posted speed limits and slow down, especially in work zones. Move over for any vehicle with flashing lights, or slow down if you cannot safely change lanes. Avoid distractions while driving – including phones, passengers and any activity that takes...
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UPDATE – DETAILS ADDED: Lexington Park Man Arrested After Attempted Murder at Solomons Fireworks Stabbing

UPDATE 7/9/2026: Devin Allen Miles, 23, of Lexington Park, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault after investigators say a juvenile was stabbed during a large fight near the Solomons Island Gazebo during a fireworks event on July 5, 2026. Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area of the Solomons Island Gazebo at about 9:22 p.m. for a reported fight involving multiple people. The area was crowded because of...
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UDDATE: Details Added After Arrest where 74 Animal-Related Charges Follow Gun Threat in Charles County

UPDATE 7/9/2026: Sir Leander Evans Gamble, 57, of Waldorf, was arrested July 3, 2026, and charged with first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault after three people renting a camper on his Penjack Place property told authorities he threatened them with a handgun and later assaulted them during a dispute, according to charging papers filed in Charles County. The arrest came the same day Charles County authorities were at Gamble’s property for a separate matter that later led...
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Two Vehicles Destroyed by Fire in Mechanicsville After Jumper Cable Mishap

On Wednesday, June 8, 2026, at approximately 9:15 a.m., firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 29600 block of Jennifer Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported the reported vehicle fire. The 911 caller reported a neighbor was attempt to jump start a vehicle with jumper cables when a fire started. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles on fire, with the occupant not injured and away from the vehicles. Firefighters extinguished the fire within...
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3-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Near Drowning in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at approximately 4:38 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Wicomico Shores Public Landing located on Army Navy Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported drowning. 911 callers reported a 3-year-old male was found face down in the water, with the child being awake and breathing at the time of the call. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 was placed on standby incase needed. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm...
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UPDATE: Lusby Man Arrested After Sending Thousands of Dollars for Explicit Images From Minor

UPDATE 7/6/2026: Jurel Daquone Leo Bowman, 32, of Lusby, is facing six felony counts of sexual solicitation of a minor after Maryland State Police investigators accused him of paying a 17-year-old female victim for sexually explicit images over several months in 2025. According to charging documents, the investigation began after the 17-year-old victim reported to law enforcement in November 2025 that Bowman had paid her approximately $4,500 for sexually explicit images between June 30, 2025, and October 21, 2025....
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Attempted Murder at Solomons Fireworks Puts Focus on Lexington Park Man’s Prior Release in St. Mary’s County

Devin Allen Miles, 21, of Lexington Park

Devin Allen Miles, 22, of Lexington Park, had already been arrested in a serious St. Mary’s County weapons case involving a ghost gun, ammunition, and a device investigators said could make the firearm fully automatic. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in July 2025, but less than a year later, Miles was no longer behind bars and was arrested in a July 5, 2026, Calvert County attempted murder case involving a stabbing. The key question is why Miles...
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UPDATE: Father Dies After Re-Entering Burning Home for 10-Year-Old Child; Cause Believed to be From Discarded Fireworks

GoFundMe for the family has been started. Click here to assist. This tragic fire not only took the life of Chris, but the family lost all of their belongings and clothing along with it. If you can assist, even just share, it is appreciated. UPDATE 7/6/2026 – Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal Press Release: Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating a fatal house fire Sunday night in Hollywood that claimed the life of a father who re-entered his...
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Police Investigating 17-Year-Old Male Stabbed at Solomons Island Boardwalk

On Sunday, July 5, 2026, after the Solomons Island Fireworks Show ended, police were dispatched to the area of the Solomons Island Boardwalk near the gazebo for reports of a fight. Upon arrival, deputies located a 17-year-old male suffering a stab wound to the stomach. Firefighters and EMS requested a helicopter due to the teen’s injuries. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 was already on the ground at Solomons Volunteer Fire Department for an unrelated medical call. The...
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Brandywine Man Charged With First-Degree Assault After Knife Threat in Waldorf

Calvin Chris Cherry, 44, of Brandywine, faces charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and trespassing on private property after authorities said he threatened an adult male victim with a knife near a Waldorf park-and-ride. He also faces a separate trespassing charge connected to the same hotel property one day earlier. Charles County Sheriff’s Office...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint on Friday, July 17

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO), in partnership with the Maryland State Police, will conduct a roadside sobriety checkpoint on Friday evening, July 17, 2026, in the Leonardtown area. Sobriety checkpoints are one of several proactive traffic safety initiatives conducted throughout the year to educate motorists, deter impaired driving, and promote safer roadways...
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Solomons Man Arrested for Disorderly Conduct After Three Noise Complaints

Brian Wade Osborne, 49, of Solomons, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after Calvert County sheriff’s deputies responded three times to complaints of loud music, screaming, threats and banging at an apartment building. Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were first called to Solomons Island Road in Solomons at about 8:59 p.m. on...
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Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Shows Dissolved Oxygen Conditions Best on Record in Early Part of Season

Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show lower than average volumes of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l of oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia from May to late June 2026. No hypoxia was observed in May, one of ten years with no monitored...
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Attorney General Brown Sues U.S. Department of Education to Prevent Cuts to School Mental Health Grants

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown filed a lawsuit today with 14 other attorneys general to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants. In defiance of a court order, the administration plans to terminate these grants at the end of July, which is projected to cost Maryland schools and...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Crash on Thomas Johnson Bridge

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Calvert 911 received several calls reporting a serious motor vehicle accident on the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Firefighters and emergency medical services from Calvert and St. Mary’s County responded to the scene with first arriving units reporting a single vehicle against the bridge jersey wall, with...
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Student Driver and Instructor Escape Serious Injury After Being Rear-Ended in Leonardtown

On Friday, June 10, 2026, at approximately 9:54 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of the Andy’s Driving School located at 26825 Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles involved in a rear-end...
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Governor Moore Unveils Maryland’s New Highway Safety Campaign, “Slow The Fast Down”

Governor Moore announced the launch of “Slow the Fast Down,” a new safe driving campaign to reduce the number of fatalities associated with speeding. “The safety of Marylanders is my number one priority,” said Gov. Moore. “The ‘Slow the Fast Down’ campaign is a refusal to accept the status quo on our roadways, inspiring more drivers...
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Community Raises Ten Full Scholarships for Leadership Southern Maryland’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy Presented by Stella’s Girls

Thanks to the generosity of Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) alumni and community partners, ten students will have the opportunity to attend LSM’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc. on full-tuition scholarships. The Teen Leadership Academy, taking place July 27–31, 2026, at the College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Regional Campus, is a...
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August 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

August at the Calvert Marine Museum offers a vibrant mix of music, cruises, family programs, and seasonal experiences for visitors of all ages. From the high‑energy Brothers Osborne performance on August 22 to hands‑on activities, lighthouse tours, fossil programs, and special early‑morning family events, the month is packed with opportunities to explore Southern Maryland’s...
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Natural Resources Police Respond To Maritime Emergencies, Conducts Hundreds Of Vessel Stops Independence Day Weekend

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) investigated 11 reportable boating accidents, conducted hundreds of vessel stops, and made five alcohol related arrests during its annual Operation Dry Water “saturation patrol” campaign from July 3 to July 5. Statistically this time is the busiest and most dangerous boating holiday. No boating fatalities were recorded in Maryland on...
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UPDATE: Former Police Officer Sentenced in Connection With Insurance Fraud Scheme

UPDATE 7/11/2026: A federal judge sentenced a former Anne Arundel County police officer for his role in an auto-insurance fraud scheme. Judge Lydia Griggsby sentenced Jaron Earl Taylor, 32, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, to three years of probation, with the first five months served on home detention, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Griggsby...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $7.6 Million to the State During June 2026

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $7,623,083 in contributions to the state during June 2026, bringing an end to a fiscal year that saw sports wagering return a total of $132,318,369 to the state. The $132.3 million in state contributions for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 through June 2026) was a 48.8% increase from the...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $156.8 Million in Gaming Revenue During June 2026

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $156,848,176 in revenue from slot machines and table games during June 2026. The statewide total was a decrease of $3,820,369, or 2.4%, compared to June 2025. Casino gaming contributions to the state during June 2026 totaled $67,902,499, a decrease of 0.9% compared to June 2025. The June 2026...
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Governor Moore Spotlights “Delivering for Maryland” Tour in Charles County, Highlighting Investments in Chesapeake Bay Protection, Combatting Childhood Hunger

Governor Wes Moore continued his statewide “Delivering for Maryland” tour in Charles County, spotlighting state investments in combatting childhood hunger and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem. The day included a visit to the Joseph Manning Fish Hatchery at Cedarville State Forest and a mobile food distribution site where the governor delivered remarks highlighting...
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Upper Marlboro Man Arrested After Calvert County Traffic Stop Leads to Drugs Seizure

David Lee Snyder Jr., 46, of Upper Marlboro, has been charged in Calvert County with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing and hindering after a July 5, 2026 traffic stop near Town Center Boulevard. The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office said the incident...
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Mechanicsville Moose Lodge Members Detain Man with Criminal History After Trespassing and Purse Theft

Louis Eugene Messineo, 31, of Mechanicsville, is facing nine charges after police said he stole a purse from the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, disrupted a poker event and was later found with suspected controlled substances. He is charged with four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia,...
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