Southern Maryland News Net

Police Investigating Assault and Shots Fired in Wildewood, One Victim Transported with Serious Leg Injury

On Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 1:35 a.m., police and emergency medical services responded to the 44000 block of Azalea Way in California, for the reported assault involving armed subjects. 911 callers reported an assault occurred with one male suffering an ankle injury, while the assault occurred, multiple suspects pulled out firearms. Police arrived in the area to find the male victim suffering a serious leg/ankle injury and transported him to an area hospital. Deputies stopped two vehicles...
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Waldorf Man Sentenced to 30 Years, With 21 Years of Active Prison Time for Sexual Abuse of Minor in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 7/27/2026: Terrod Lamar Branson, 40, of Waldorf, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with nine years suspended, leaving 21 years of active incarceration for the sexual abuse of a minor between 2023 and 2025. Branson was also ordered to remain under lifetime sexual offender supervision and register as a sexual offender for life. The 21-year active sentence was at the top of the recommended Maryland Sentencing Guidelines range of 10 to 21 years. “Few crimes are more...
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Prince Frederick Man Charged with Sexual Assault After Two Incidents at Calvert County Nursing Center

Wayne Anthony Parker, 66, of Prince Frederick, faces nine charges in two open criminal cases involving alleged incidents at the Calvert County Nursing Center, including second-degree assault, attempted third-degree sex offense involving a helpless or impaired person, attempted fourth-degree sex offense involving sexual contact, third-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary of a dwelling, two counts of indecent exposure, trespassing at a public agency during business hours and disorderly conduct. The accusations arise from two investigations involving the nursing facility on Hospital...
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Myrtle Point Beach Shooting Investigation Led Investigators to Arrest Lexington Park Man New Gun Charges While on Probation

Dylan Lane Sullivan, 22, of Lexington Park, was arrested July 21, 2026, on three firearm charges after investigators said photographs and video showed him holding and firing a semiautomatic handgun while he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Sullivan is charged with illegal possession of a regulated firearm, carrying a loaded handgun on his person and carrying a handgun on his person. An arrest warrant was issued July 20, 2026, and served shortly after midnight the following day on West...
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No Injuries, Minor Damage Reported After Suspected Arson at Port Tobacco Home

On Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 1:10 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 8400 block of Wooddy Road in Port Tobacco, for the reported structure fire with an active domestic disturbance. 911 callers reported a fire was intentionally set inside the master bed room with a disturbance in progress. Police arrived on the scene to find a two-story residence with nothing evident from the two story residence. Upon further investigation, a small fire was...
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VIDEO: Bryans Road Youth Basketball Coach & His Team Arrested in Polk County, Florida, Following 7-Eleven Theft

A Bryans Road man who was coaching a Washington, D.C.-area travel basketball team was arrested in Florida after authorities said he lied to investigators to protect two teenage players accused of participating in a theft at a 7-Eleven store. Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, of Bryans Road, was arrested by detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accessory after the fact and resisting an officer without violence....
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Crain Highway Closed in La Plata Due to Serious Crash Involving Motorcycle

On Friday, July 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Mitchell Road in La Plata, for the serious motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle with one unconscious. Multiple 911 callers reported a “really bad accident” with a motorcyclist laying in the roadway and not moving. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a two vehicle collision with one adult male with life-threatening injuries. Maryland State Police...
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Child Flown to Children’s National Hospital With Serious Injuries After Boating Accident

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, at approximately 5:22 p.m., police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel responded to Goose Bay Marina and Campground in Welcome for a report of a child suffering traumatic injuries. 911 callers reported that an 8-year-old boy was breathing but unconscious after his leg was reportedly severed by a boat propeller. Due to the nature of the call, Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 was requested to land nearby. The child was brought to the...
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Lusby Man, A Former Harford County EMT, Indicted on Child Sex Crimes

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced today, a federal grand jury indicted a Maryland man in connection with child sexual exploitation charges. Jurel Daquone Leo Bowman, 32, of Lusby, is charged with producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, receipt of CSAM, and possession of CSAM. Bowman previously served as a Harford County emergency medical technician. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District...
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DETAILS RELEASED: Two Men Arrested After More Than $100,000 in Stolen Bronze Cemetery Vases Recovered

Trey Franklin Mason, 25, of Nanjemoy, and David Anthony Downing, 34, of Waldorf, have been charged in connection with the theft of more than 100 bronze memorial vases from Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf. Both men remained held without bond following separate bail reviews. Mason, who is also listed in Maryland Judiciary information as Otto Franklin Mason, is charged with fourth-degree burglary involving theft, theft valued between $1,500 and $25,000, and malicious destruction of property valued at less than...
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UPDATE: Couple Released on Own Recognizance by Judge Karen Friedman After Police Find Nude 4-Year-Old Boy Locked in Trash-Filled Closet

UPDATE 7/22/2026 @ 9:30 a.m.: Kaylynn N. Moore, 28, of Callaway, and James E. Stone, 27, of Callaway, have both been released on their own recognizance while facing child abuse and neglect charges. Moore and Stone were initially ordered held without bond following their arrests on July 20, 2026. During bond review hearings on July 21, 2026, Judge Karen Friedman changed both defendants’ release status, allowing them to leave custody without posting money. UPDATE 7/21/2026 @ 1:00 p.m.: Kaylynn...
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Man Cited After Leaving Dog Unattended in Hot Vehicle While Illegally Parked in California Target’s Fire Lane

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., police were dispatched to the California Target located at 45155 First Colony Way in California, after taking multiple 911 calls to check the welfare of a dog left in an unattended vehicle. Multiple citizens along with the Target Security team reported an unattended Toyota SUV was illegally parked in front of the store with the vehicle not running and all windows up. The dog was heard barking and observed excessively...
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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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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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Lexington Park Woman Arrested Again as New Drug Charges Add to Growing List of Cases

Lynn Grumbine, 43, of Lexington Park, is facing misdemeanor charges of possessing a controlled substance other than cannabis and possessing drug paraphernalia after deputies arrested her on an outstanding probation warrant near a Lexington Park grocery store on July 25, 2026. According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office account, deputies located Grumbine near...
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UPDATE: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Tow Truck Accident in La Plata That Killed 67-Year-Old Man

UPDATE 7/27/2026: On July 24, 2026, at approximately 4:19 p.m., a tow truck operator was fatally injured during an accident in the 9300 block of WW Industrial Drive in La Plata. The victim, Joseph Louis Skinner, 67, of La Plata, was operating a tow truck and attempting to load an SUV onto the rollback...
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Owings Woman Charged With First-Degree Assault and Malicious Destruction of Property in Calvert County

Holly Ann Bailey, 29, of Owings, has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property valued at less than $1,000 following an alleged domestic altercation that authorities say left an adult male victim injured and resulted in damage to a gaming console. A deputy with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office...
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Two Investigations in St. Mary’s County Lead to Cocaine Distribution Charge for Great Mills Man

Kevin Jerome Chase, 56, of Great Mills, is facing felony cocaine distribution and possession-with-intent-to-distribute charges, a misdemeanor cocaine possession charge and four additional misdemeanor charges stemming from two separate incidents in Lexington Park. The most recent charges followed an encounter late July 17, 2026, near Great Mills Road. According to allegations filed by the...
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Lexington Park Man Charged With Two Counts of Assault After Domestic Disturbance

Cody Weber, 47, of Lexington Park, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of second-degree assault following an alleged domestic disturbance that left two people with injuries at a home in Lexington Park. A St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the residence on July 17, 2026, for a reported domestic assault. An adult...
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Detached Garage Destroyed in La Plata Fire, Damage Estimated at $70,000

A detached garage was destroyed by fire Friday night in La Plata, causing an estimated $70,000 in damage. On Friday, July 24, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., firefighters responded to 10480 La Plata Road for a reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a 40-by-30-foot detached garage fully engulfed in flames and already collapsed....
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La Plata Woman Faces Felony Assault Charge Following Confrontation Inside Wawa

Catherine Mary Littlejohn, 52, of La Plata, has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct following an alleged confrontation with a customer inside the Wawa on Crain Highway in La Plata on July 17, 2026. An officer with the La Plata Police Department was dispatched to the store at approximately 6:58...
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Chaptico Man Charged in Crossbow Burglary Days After Arrest and Release in Stolen Vehicle Case

Patrick Wayne Wood, 24, of Chaptico, faces charges of second-degree burglary, theft of property valued from $1,500 to less than $25,000, malicious destruction of property valued at less than $1,000, three counts of possessing a controlled substance other than cannabis and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia in connection with a Mechanicsville archery shop...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Graduates 5th Emerging Leaders Program Class

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) graduated its fifth class last month at the Jameson-Harrison American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville, Md. The 30-member Southern Maryland cohort completed a 6-month community leadership development program featuring monthly, full-day hands-on learning experiences that challenged participants to grow as communicators, collaborators, and community leaders....
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MISSING: Bonnie The Emu Is On The Run in Calvert County

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office released the following information this afternoon. Well… this isn’t the kind of fugitive we expected today! Bonnie, a 6-foot-tall, approximately 200-pound emu, has decided she’d rather explore northern Calvert County than stay home. She has recently been spotted in the Owings and Chesapeake Beach areas. If you happen to...
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Police Say California Man Returned to Lexington Park Grocery Store to Steal Four Times in One Day

Damian Michael Sisler, 29, of California, faces eight misdemeanor charges tied to alleged thefts at a Lexington Park grocery store and the discovery of suspected crack cocaine during a separate police encounter. The charges include three counts of theft under $100, two counts of theft valued from $100 to less than $1,500, one count...
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Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory for July 23-27, 2026

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised of noise-generating testing events scheduled to take place July 27 –July 31, 2026 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely on...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Accepting Applications for 2026 Citizens Police Academy

Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at your Sheriff’s Office? The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2026 Citizens Police Academy, an immersive eight-week program that gives residents an inside look at modern law enforcement through hands-on experiences, interactive demonstrations, and direct engagement with the...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Initiatives Recognized as National Promising Practices

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is proud to announce that two of its innovative public health initiatives have been recognized with the 2026 Promising Practice Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). NACCHO, the national organization representing over 3,000 local health departments across the country, recognizes innovative programs that...
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Glenn Mains Appointed Chief Information Officer in St. Mary’s County

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) are pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn Mains as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO), leading the County’s Information Technology Department. Mr. Mains brings more than 30 years of information technology experience, including over two decades of executive leadership in local government, with expertise spanning enterprise...
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St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office Awarded $72,488 Competitive Grant to Continue Gun Violence Reduction Efforts

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office has been awarded a $72,488 Gun Violence Reduction Grant (GVRG) to combat violent crimes involving the use of firearms. In her first year as State’s Attorney, Sterling quickly embraced emerging advancements in digital evidence by utilizing the grant funding to create...
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The Charles County Mobile Intensive Care Unit Saddened to Announce the Passing of Life Member Mark Powers

Mark was a dedicated public servant who devoted more than 35 years of service to the community through both the Charles County Mobile Intensive Care Unit and the La Plata Police Department. His unwavering commitment, professionalism, and compassion made a significant impact on countless lives. Mark’s legacy of service will be remembered. Funeral arrangements...
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