Southern Maryland News Net

Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond After Alleged Incident Involving Child in St. Mary’s County

Junior Maldonado-Hernandez, 38, of Lexington Park, has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense involving a child under 14, fourth-degree sex offense involving sexual contact, second-degree assault, and resisting or interfering with arrest after authorities say deputies were called to a reported disturbance at a Lexington Park home on June 21, 2026. According to filings in St. Mary’s County District Court, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home after an adult female...
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UPDATE: Prince Frederick Man Now Facing Murder Charge in Death of 1-Year-Old Child in Calvert County

UPDATE 6/22/2026: Branden Pernell Mackall, 35, of Prince Frederick, has been indicted on a murder charge and additional child abuse-related charges following the death of a 1-year-old female victim who authorities previously said suffered life-threatening injuries at a home on Mint Court in Prince Frederick. A Calvert County grand jury indicted Mackall on charges of murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death of a child under 13, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, first-degree assault, and second-degree...
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No Injuries Reported, Firefighters Save Barn After Large Field Fires in Mechanicsville

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at approximately 3:25 p.m., firefighters from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s County were dispatched to the 39000 block of Cooney Neck Road off Route 6 in Mechanicsville, for the large brush fire threatening a barn. 911 callers reported a large field on fire spreading and threatening a barn. Crews arrived on the scene to find an approximate 3 to 7 acre field fire and quickly contained the fire. A brush fire task force was...
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UPDATE: Police Locate Subject After Search in Point Lookout State Park, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE 6/24/2026: The law enforcement investigation at Point Lookout State Park concluded. No injuries were reported. The subject has been safely located. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office thanks our partners, Maryland State Police and Department of Natural Resources Police, for their assistance. We thank the public for their cooperation and patience while the precautionary park closure and investigation were conducted. Normal park operations are expected to resume today, June 25, 2o26. 6/24/26 3:18 p.m., Police Activity – Point...
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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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Department of Natural Resources Police Investigating Body Found in Patuxent River Near Thomas Johnson Bridge

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, at approximately 9:47 a.m., firefighters from the Second District VFD in St. Mary’s County responded to Calvert County to assist the Department of Natural Resources with a recovery operation. Police and firefighters recovered the victim on the the St. Mary’s County side of the Patuxent River near the Thomas...
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Lexington Park Woman Sentenced Following Guilty Pleas to Impaired Driving and Driving Suspended

Stacey Lynn Wilkinson, 38, of Lexington Park, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving while so far impaired by drugs or drugs and alcohol that she could not drive safely, and throwing refuse on a highway...
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10-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Hospital After Penetrating Injury Involving Metal Rail in Mechanicsville

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, at approximately 12:40 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the 26000 block of Sycamore Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported traumatic injuries. 911 callers reported a 10-year-old male was trapped on the deck after a metal rail went through the victims foot. 7 Firefighters from the...
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Charles County K9 Mazli Retires After 5-Year Career

This week, Charles County Sheriff’s Office said congratulations and thank you to K9 Mazli as he officially retires from CCSO. Mazli began his career on March 24, 2021, alongside his handler, Corporal Tyler Willis. Throughout his years of service, Mazli proved to be a loyal partner, skilled tracker, and dedicated protector of our community....
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Maryland History Lives on Through $50,000 Gift Donated to the Southern Maryland Studies Center

The Southern Maryland Studies Center (SMSC) at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) La Plata Campus received a $50,000 donation from the National Society of Descendants of Lords of the Maryland Manors to support the preservation and study of records connected to colonial Maryland manors and Southern Maryland family history. The organization, which merged...
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Prince George’s County Couple Arrested in Prince Frederick After Deputy Finds Cocaine and Switchblade

Chelsea Lynn Lawrence, 31, of Lothian, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, and Matthew Blake Bernstein, 41, of Upper Marlboro, is charged with making a false statement to an officer, carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, and obstructing and hindering after a June 17,...
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State Police Arrest Leonardtown Woman on Drug Charges After Prior Disturbance Case

Shyann Aniqua Haley, 34, of Leonardtown, has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia after Maryland State Police said she was found with suspected cocaine during an investigation in Lexington Park on June 20, 2026. Trooper First Class Timothy Eckrich and Trooper Fortunato were...
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Chevy Chase Woman Charged with Disorderly Conduct and Trespassing at Rod ’N’ Reel in Chesapeake Beach

Patricia Kennedy Hammar, 61, of Chevy Chase, is facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing on private property, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, intoxicated public disturbance, and resisting or interfering with arrest after deputies said she refused to leave the Rod ’N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach on June 18, 2026....
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Prince Frederick Woman Charged With Felony Assault After Reported Scissors Attack

Lakesha Nicole Reed, 44, of Prince Frederick, has been charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic assault on June 16, 2026, at an apartment on Alton Court in Prince Frederick. The incident was reported as a domestic violence-related case, and Reed was later...
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Texas Man Arrested in St. Mary’s County After Alleged Calls And Texts Despite Protective Orders

Jordan S White, 25, of Henderson, Texas, is facing misdemeanor charges in St. Mary’s County for violating an out-of-state protective order and violating a protective order after authorities said he repeatedly contacted a protected adult female victim on June 19, 2026. According to charging documents filed in District Court for St. Mary’s County, a...
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Leonardtown Woman Sentenced to Eighteen Months in Jail for Retail Theft

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Christina Lee Calero, 47, of Leonardtown, was sentenced to five years with eighteen months of active incarceration for Theft: $100 to Under $1,500 as a subsequent offender. On August 19, 2025, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the JCPenney in California, Maryland, for...
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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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