Southern Maryland News Net

UPDATE: Second Man Sentenced to Life in 2024 Lexington Park Murder

UPDATE 7/21/2026: Zahlir Daylin Gantt, 23, of Lexington Park, was sentenced to life plus 30 years of active incarceration for the February 2024 murder of 23-year-old Malic Quinn Freeland. St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced the sentence on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire near Fox Ridge Road and Valley Drive in Lexington Park on February 26, 2024. Freeland was found inside a vehicle suffering from...
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Two Charged After 4-Year-Old Found Locked in Closet in Callaway

On Monday, July 20, 2026, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 20000 block of Roh Ranch Lane in Callaway for a report of child abuse after a caller stated that a child was being held in a closet. When deputies arrived, they were given consent to enter the residence and located a closet door secured by a bungee cord. Inside the closet, they found a 4-year-old child. The child was taken for medical evaluation....
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Missing Child with Autism Found in Water, Rescued by St. Mary’s Deputy

On Friday, July 17, 2026, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing 9-year-old child with autism in the Hollywood area. A coordinated search quickly began with the assistance of the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police Aviation Command (Trooper 7), the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and multiple local fire and EMS agencies. The child was located in a nearby body of water....
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Potomac Speedway Promoters Announce They Will Not Renew Lease After 2026 Racing Season

The current promoters of Potomac Speedway announced they will not renew their lease after the conclusion of the 2026 racing season, bringing their two-year run at the historic track to an end. In a statement, the promoters said the decision was difficult but emphasized that they remain committed to completing the current season and making the remaining events memorable for racers, fans, sponsors, employees, and supporters. “After two incredible years of promoting Potomac Speedway, we have made the difficult...
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Man Rescued from Burning Vehicle After Serious Crash in Mechanicsville; Operator Flown to Burn Center

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 9:53 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with a vehicle on fire with occupants trapped. Police arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to confirm a single vehicle off the roadway and fully engulfed in flames with the operator trapped inside. Deputies began attempting to remove the victim and utilized...
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VIDEO: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputies Save Missing Autistic Child Found in Water – NO Injuries Reported

UPDATE 7/20/2026: On Friday, July 17, 2026, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing 9-year-old child with autism in the Hollywood area. A coordinated search quickly began with the assistance of the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police Aviation Command (Trooper 7), the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and multiple local fire and EMS agencies. The child was located in a nearby body of...
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Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Golf Cart Crash in Owings

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 9:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 5900 block of Scaggs Road in Owings, for the serious motor vehicle collision involving a golf cart. Dispatchers advised 911 callers reported a golf cart struck a pole, resulting in one female victim being unconscious and suffering a seizure after being ejected from the vehicle. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 2 was placed on standby, then pre-launched to land nearby due...
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Washington Woman Arrested After Using Dead Person’s Identity to Buy a $52,000 Mercedes in Waldorf

Louisa Michelene Coles, 48, of Washington, D.C., has been charged with felony theft of $1,500 to less than $25,000, possession or use of a false government identification document, using another person’s identity to avoid identification or prosecution, and felony identity fraud involving property valued from $25,000 to less than $100,000. The charges stem from an attempt to purchase a $52,000 Mercedes-Benz SUV at a Waldorf dealership using the identity and financial information of a recently deceased woman. A Charles...
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Police Investigating Stabbing in Lexington Park, Helicopter Requested for Victim

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at approximately 10:53 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 21000 block of Springwood Court in Lexington Park, for the reported stabbing. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 48-year-old male suffering from a stab wound to the upperbody. The victim was conscious alert and breathing. Upon consultation with an area trauma center, the patient was approved for aviation transport. The victim told First Responders he wasn’t going to say...
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Police Investigating Death of Teen in California After Reported Medical Emergency

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at approximately 12:43 a.m., police firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 22000 block of Armsworthy Court in California, for the reported one not breathing. 911 callers reported a 14-year-old female was not breathing. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to confirm CPR was in progress. The patient, identified as a teen male, was quickly transported to the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital with CPR still in progress. Deputies from the...
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Police Investigating Infants Death in Leonardtown After Reported Medical Emergency

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 4:05 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 39000 block of Lake Cecil Lane in Leonardtown, for the reported infant not breathing. 911 callers reported a 3-month old not breathing with CPR instructions being given. While police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the scene, the St. Mary’s Hospital and Maryland State Police Aviation Command were placed on standby and made aware of the incident. Police arrived on the...
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Lithium Ion Batteries Cause Second Structure Fire in Southern Maryland This Week

On Sunday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 9:10 p.m., firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to the 4000 block of Ray Drive in La Plata, for the reported structure on fire. 911 callers reported fire coming from the roof with unknown occupants inside. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a large one story machine shop with smoke and fire showing. Crews made entry to find a fire inside the building with extensions to the exterior. A...
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Waldorf Man Struck by Vehicle After Stealing Necklace from Jewelry Store in St. Charles Mall

On June 29, 2026, at 11:27 a.m., a male suspect entered a jewelry store inside St. Charles Town Center and asked to view a necklace. After the employee handed it to him, the suspect fled on foot with the necklace. As he ran through the parking lot, the suspect was struck by a car that did not remain on the scene. Despite being injured, the suspect continued running and escaped the immediate area. While officers were investigating the theft,...
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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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One Injured After Vehicle Strikes Tree in California

On Monday, July 20, 2026, at approximately 7:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of St. Andrews Church Road and Old St. Andrews Church Road in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries. Initial reports indicated one vehicle was involved, the vehicle was smoking, and it...
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Prince Frederick Man Charged With Cocaine Possession After Traffic Stop in Calvert County

Cordell Tyrone Sollers, 40, of Prince Frederick, has been charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia following a July 9, 2026, traffic stop in a restaurant parking lot in Prince Frederick. According to allegations filed by a detective with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, the Calvert County Drug Enforcement Unit received...
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Drugs, Smoking Device Found During Traffic Stop in Charles County

Joseph Lenord Bourne, 39, of Waldorf, faces misdemeanor charges of possessing a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and possessing drug paraphernalia following a July 4, 2026, traffic stop in Waldorf. A Charles County Sheriff’s Office officer reported seeing a white Chevrolet Impala with dark window tint and a cracked windshield turn from St....
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La Plata Man Held Without Bond After Waldorf Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Distribution and Gun Charges

Brandon Dexter Williams, 40, of La Plata, faces nine criminal charges and four traffic citations after a July 4, 2026, traffic stop in Waldorf led officers to recover a handgun, ammunition, several suspected controlled substances, drug-packaging equipment and $1,738 in cash. Williams is charged with possessing or transporting a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime,...
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Park Hall Man Charged After Coke Theft Report Leads to Loaded Handgun Discovery in Charles County

Tyrone Robert Thompson, 44, of Park Hall, faces charges of theft of less than $100, possession of a firearm after a disqualifying conviction and transporting a loaded handgun in a vehicle following his July 3, 2026, arrest in Charles County. A Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to the Dash In on Crain...
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North Sandgates Road Closed Due to Crash Involving Utility Pole, Vehicle On Fire

On Monday, July 20, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of North Sandgates Road and Ridge Road in Mechanicsville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with rollover. While First Responders were enroute to the scene, callers reported the vehicle was smoking and possibly on fire....
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Ready, Set, Go!… Maryland’s Buy Local Challenge Is Here!

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is excited to announce the launch of Maryland’s Buy Local Week, running from July 17 to July 27, 2026. This statewide initiative encourages all Marylanders to make a simple commitment: buy at least one local product every day...
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University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Stroke Care and Rural Health

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Rural Recognition Silver Award, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care and improving outcomes...
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pitonyak, Brandywine Native, Now Proudly Serving Aboard USS Harry S. Truman

NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pitonyak, a native of Brandywine, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia. Pitonyak graduated from North Point High School in 2011. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioners Approve Grants, Lease Agreements and Tax Credit Incentive

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. As part of the consent agenda, the CSMC approved the 1-year lease renewal with the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library. The Commissioners then presented proclamations in recognition of National Recreation and Park...
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Governor Moore Announces Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Provides $20 Million in Capital Grants for Public Boating Access, Navigable Waterways, and Safety

Governor Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will provide $13 million in Waterway Improvement Fund allocations and $7 million in General Obligation Bond funding toward 24 public boating projects throughout Maryland in Fiscal Year 2027, which began July 1. The grants provided to partners will support new and improved public boating access facilities,...
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Calvert Detectives Make Arrest in North Beach Stabbing

On July 4, 2026, at approximately 10:47 p.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4000 block of 3rd Street in North Beach for the report of a stabbing. A preliminary investigation indicates that a group of individuals had been setting off fireworks when an argument broke out, escalating into an...
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Waldorf Man Arrested and Charged with Theft of a School Bus in Charles County

On July 19, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on a school bus after the driver failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of Leonardtown Road and Old Washington Road in Waldorf. As the driver started pulling over, he struck a...
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CSM Nursing Program Ranks Among Top in the State

Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in Maryland. The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is recognized for excellence in preparing students for successful careers entering this in-demand field. The CSM Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is ranked second best in the state by PracticalNursing.org, a nursing publication recognized for providing information...
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$50,000 Bonus Match 5 Winner Sold in Waldorf

Check your Bonus Match 5 tickets if you made a purchase in Waldorf as a $50,000 winning ticket was sold for last night’s drawing. The winning ticket was sold in Charles County at the Dash-In at 2007 Smallwood Drive. For selling the top-tier winning ticket, the Waldorf retailer receives a bonus of $500. The...
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La Plata Native, Chief Petty Officer Luke Mauck Now Serving Proudly Aboard The USS Wichita

Chief Petty Officer Luke Mauck, a native of La Plata, Maryland, with family ties to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, serving aboard USS Wichita, recently completed a port visit to Bristol, Rhode Island, with the ship’s crew to participate in the Fourth of July celebrations. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy...
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FDA Approves First Gene Therapy for Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease

July 01, 2026: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a supplemental approval for Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) for patients aged 2 years and older with either sickle cell disease (SCD) with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) or transfusion-dependent β thalassemia (TDT). This is the first gene therapy approved for patients aged 2 years and older with...
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