Southern Maryland News Net

UPDATE: 6-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After 4-Wheeler Crash in Mechanicsville

UPDATE 3/19/2026: Both children have been flown by Trooper 7 to the Children’s National Hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Police responded to investigate. It was found the incident occurred in the private driveway of a residence. Further updates will be provided when they become available. 3/19/2026: On Thursday, March 19, 2026, at approximately 5:35 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 26000 block of Yowaiski Mill Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported traumatic injuries...
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Nanjemoy Man Charged With 42 Counts of Animal Cruelty and Failure to Provide After Police Find 6 Puppies Without Food, Water, Shelter or Space

Labrons Edward Butler, 50, of Nanjemoy, is facing 42 misdemeanor charges after Charles County authorities alleged six pit bull-type puppies were found without food, water, shelter, adequate space, or needed veterinary care near Marshall Hall Road in Bryans Road, according to court documents. The case was filed in the District Court for Charles County on March 12, 2026. Court records show Butler was charged with six counts of animal cruelty alleging the puppies were deprived of necessary sustenance. He...
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UPDATE: Grand Jury Indicts Calvert County Attorney in Road Rage Gun Case

UPDATE 3/19/2026: Liza Sue Castles, 59, of Huntingtown, has been formally indicted by a Calvert County grand jury on charges of first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and second-degree assault in connection with the previously reported road rage incident on January 21, 2026, according to court records. The indictment, filed on March 16, 2026, moves the case from District Court to the Circuit Court for Calvert County following review by the State’s...
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U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms Held Without Bond as Fugitive in Child Assault Case

Miguel Jesus Trussel, 19, of Splendora, Texas, faces a fugitive from justice charge in St. Mary’s County after authorities allege he is wanted in Texas in connection with a case involving Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, according to court documents. Court records list Trussel’s occupation as working for the U.S. Navy at NAS Patuxent River as a master-at-arms. Documents also list his home address as Splendora, Texas. According to District Court records, the charge filed in Maryland is...
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Police Investigating Armed Robbery and High Speed Pursuit That Ends in Virginia After Crash

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, at approximately 2:45 a.m., a deputy attempted to pull over a red vehicle after they passed him doing over 100 mph on Southbound Crain Highway at Smallwood Drive in Waldorf. A high speed pursuit was started, however, deputies ended the pursuit after losing sight of the vehicle with speeds reportedly over 112 mph. A short time later, at approximately 2:52 a.m., police were dispatched to the 7-Eleven located at 11575 Berry Road in Waldorf,...
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Questions Raised About Reporting of School Incidents in St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Releases

A review of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office public news release archive is raising questions about how often incidents occurring at local schools are publicly reported. According to the Sheriff’s Office website, the department has published 418 press releases in its online archive. Those releases cover a wide range of incidents across the county, including drug arrests, theft investigations, search warrants, warrant services, traffic stops, and other law enforcement activity. However, only a small number of those releases...
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Police Investigating Bicyclist Found With Life-Threatening Injuries

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Pisgah Marbury Road and Toyer Place in Marbury, for the reported bicyclist struck. Multiple 911 callers reported finding a bicyclist laying under a guardrail with unknown breathing status. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm an unknown aged adult male laying near a guardrail with serious injuries to the head and requested a helicopter to land nearby. Maryland State...
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UPDATE: Charlotte Hall Man and His Passenger Killed After Running Red Light in Hollywood; Two Others Injured

UPDATE 3/16/2026: On Sunday, March 15, at 4:35 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and Hollywood Road for a motor vehicle collision. The investigation determined that a 2016 GMC Sierra, operated by Austin Schultz of Leonardtown, was making a left turn from northbound Three Notch Road onto Hollywood Road at the traffic signal when a 2013 Toyota Camry, operated by 42-year-old Keith Mersing II of Charlotte Hall and...
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Police in Calvert County Arrest Columbia Man for Felony Theft of Over $190,000 in Gold Bullion Scam

Jatin Talwar, 46, of Columbia, is facing felony charges of theft of $100,000 or more and theft scheme of $100,000 or more following a March 11, 2026 arrest in Dunkirk, according to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County. Talwar was arrested by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held without bond. A bail review hearing was held March 12, 2026 before Judge Andrea R. S. Watkins. According to court records, deputies began...
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UPDATE: Man Found Guilty in Murder of 62-Year-Old Timothy Louis Portzen in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/15/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, March 9, 2026, a Charles County jury found Scott Anthony Goldsmith, 55, guilty of the Second-Degree Murder of Timothy Louis Portzen and the First-Degree Assault of a second victim. On October 3, 2023, officers with Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Waldorf residence for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the surviving victim, who reported that she had been stabbed...
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Three Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 9:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find no entrapment, one vehicle into a pole and three patients for evaluation. EMS requested a helicopter to land nearby for a 42-year-old male. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 2 landed nearby and transported the male to the...
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One Transported to Trauma Center After T-Bone Collision in Lexington Park

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Pegg Road and Lexington Drive in Great Mills, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in a T-bone style collision with the operator of the Toyota sedan trapped, and three patients for evaluation. Firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 and 9 responded with 13 personnel and...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After T-Bone Collision in Mechanicsville

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 4:32 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Point Lookout Road and Morganza Turner Road in Mechanicsville, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in a T-bone style collision with no entrapment, and both drivers having injuries. The operator of the pickup truck was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. EMS requested a helicopter to land...
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Lexington Park Man Gets Jail Time, Probation in Animal Cruelty Case

Darius Paul Chew, 22, of Lexington Park, pleaded guilty in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of failing to provide necessary care for an animal in a case that began with his August 2025 arrest and later moved from District Court to Circuit Court. Court records show the case was first filed in District Court on August 27, 2025, then transferred to Circuit Court on September 8, 2025. According to charging...
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Early Morning Trailer Fire in Mechanicsville Leaves Two Displaced, Fire Under Investigation

On Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 2:41 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Seventh District, Hughesville, Hollywood and Charles County responded to the 39000 block of Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported a fire in the bathroom. Firefighters arrived on scene to find fire showing from the 1-story trailer with a second nearby mobile home being threatened. Crews made entry with multiple attack lines and found hoarding conditions within the residence which slowed...
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Remembering Jaelynn Willey, 8 Years After Senseless Act of Violence

Today, we remember Jaelynn Willey, whose life was tragically taken on March 20, 2018, following a senseless act of violence at Great Mills High School. Her loss continues to be felt throughout our community. We keep her family, friends, the entire Great Mills High School community, and our First Responders who had to witness...
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Charleys Philly Steaks Coming to Lexington Park at Old Burger King Location on Great Mills Road

It’s official! Charleys Philly Steaks is coming to Lexington Park later this year. The buildings former occupant Burger King, closed their doors in 2020 and has sat empty since. Located at 21650 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, the grand opening date is undetermined, but slated for later this year. With over 700 locations...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Two Waldorf Men in Armed Robbery Case on Gallery Place

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested two suspects in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on March 10 in the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf. In that case, the victim was in the process of installing carpet when he observed two males stealing a section of carpet that was outside of...
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Winning Multi-Match Ticket worth $1.7 Million Sold in St. Mary’s County

A Maryland Lottery player is starting off spring as a new millionaire after a $1.7-million-winning Multi-Match ticket was sold in St. Mary’s County for last night’s drawing. This is the first Multi-Match jackpot win of 2026. The ticket was purchased at Abell’s Tavern at 20281 Piney Point Road in Callaway. For selling the ticket, the Southern...
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Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Invites Community to Join Their “Touch-A-Truck” Fundraiser This Saturday!

The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department is inviting the community to its upcoming “Touch-A-Truck” fundraiser on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at the firehouse, located at 24801 Three Notch Road in Hollywood, and promises a hands-on experience for families and children of all ages. Attendees...
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New Prince George’s County Bill Would Criminalize Spectators at Illegal Street Takeovers

A new proposal in Prince George’s County could make it a crime not just to participate in illegal street racing and takeovers—but simply to show up and watch. County Council Member Wanika B. Fisher has introduced legislation, CB-12-2026, aimed at cracking down on illegal car rallies by targeting spectators who fuel the events. Under...
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Cold Case Files (1983): Investigators Seeking Identity of Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle Near Harry Nice Bridge

Detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the identity of a man who was fatally struck by a vehicle more than four decades ago and whose identity remains unknown. On July 9, 1983, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on southbound Crain Highway in the...
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Mother and Son Arrested After Jewelry Store Incident in St. Mary’s County

Corey Michael Bridgett, 29, of Lexington Park, is facing a charge of fraud for allegedly using another person’s identity to avoid prosecution, while his mother, Eundra Keffie Kelly Hensley, 52, of Lexington Park, is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court documents. The charges stem...
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Avenue Man Charged With Witness Intimidation and Violating a Protective Order in St. Mary’s

Austin Edward Peed, 44, of Avenue, is facing multiple charges including violating a protective order and attempting to intimidate or influence a juror following an incident reported on March 17, 2026, in St. Mary’s County. According to court documents, deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the District Court in Leonardtown...
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Prince Frederick Man Charged After Crash Leads to Discovery of Loaded Ghost Gun in Leonardtown

Zamahri Lydell Talley, 22, of Prince Frederick, is facing multiple firearm-related charges following a reported vehicle crash in Leonardtown, according to court documents. Talley has been charged with loaded handgun in a vehicle, handgun in a vehicle, and possession of a firearm without a serial number. All charges stem from an incident that occurred...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested After Running From St. Mary’s Traffic Stop, Released on $500 Unsecured Bond

Stefan Decell Miles, 30, of Lexington Park, is facing two misdemeanor charges of obstructing and hindering and failing to obey a reasonable and lawful order after what court records describe as a brief foot chase during a March 13, 2026 traffic stop in Lexington Park. According to charging documents, Miles was a passenger in...
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California Man Arrested for Drunk Driving in Calvert County With Unsecured Child In Vehicle

Tyrell Marquice Birdine, 25, of California, is charged with reckless endangerment after authorities said he drove at a high rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol with a male juvenile victim unsecured in the front passenger seat. Court records show the case was filed in the District Court for Calvert County on...
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Waldorf Man Released on Own Recognizance Just 3 Days After Shooting at Victim Four Times

Casey Maleen Holt, 33, of Waldorf, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, loaded handgun on person, loaded handgun in vehicle, use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, and reckless endangerment in connection with a February 28, 2026, shooting investigation in Charles County, according to court...
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Calvert County Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Damaging Patrol Vehicle Charges for Lothian Woman

Jennifer Marie Thomas, 29, of Lothian, is facing multiple criminal charges including drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and malicious destruction of property, following an alleged incident on March 14, 2026, according to court documents. Charging documents state that Thomas is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not cannabis, possession of drug...
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Police Find Loaded Handgun During Traffic Stop in Prince Frederick

Qui Mirr Tajee Heyward, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged in Calvert County with handgun in a vehicle and loaded handgun in a vehicle after deputies said they found a loaded Sig Sauer handgun in the glove compartment during a traffic stop in Prince Frederick on March 15, 2026. Arrest paperwork tied to the...
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Hughesville Man Arrested Four Times in Three Weeks Across Southern Maryland

Michael Hemi Fischer, 28, of Hughesville, was arrested four times between February 23, 2026, and March 13, 2026, in Charles and St. Mary’s counties, facing multiple misdemeanor charges including trespassing, theft, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, and fourth-degree burglary, according to court records. The earliest incident occurred on February 23, 2026, in St....
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Court Records Detail Arrest of Metro Police School Resource Officer in Charles County

Devin Thomas Smith, 44, of Waldorf, a Metropolitan Police Department officer serving as a school resource officer, is facing multiple charges including resisting arrest and several alcohol-related driving offenses following a March 15, 2026 incident in Charles County, according to court documents. According to charging documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the...
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