News Release, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
Assault- On February 3, 2019, Dep. Shelko made contact with the victim who reported an assault which occurred in the 41300 block of Riverview Road on Mechanicsville. Investigation determined Wayne Carroll Earnest, age 40 of Mechanicsville, had assaulted the victim during an argument by grabbing the victim around the neck and strangling the victim.
The victim displayed visible injury as a result of the assault. Earnest was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 7079-19
Violation of Protective Order- On February 4, 2019, DFC. Holdsworth responded to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported protective order violation. Investigation determined Thomas Franklin Hill Jr., age 44 of Mechanicsville, requested messages be relayed to the victim through a third party. This was in violation of a current court order prohibiting Hill from having contact with the victim by any means.
Hill was arrested and charged with two counts of Violate Protective Order. CASE# 7300-19
Assault- On February 5, 2019, Dep. Forinash responded to the 45900 block of Indian Way in Great Mills, for the reported disturbance. While on scene, Latoya Renee Mason, age 36 of Great Mills, was hostile and aggressive, and assaulted the victim by pushing the victim in the presence of Dep. Forinash.
Mason was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 7353-19
Drug Arrest- On February 5, 2019, Tina Marie Tippett, age 31 of Lexington Park, was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for outstanding warrants with another law enforcement agency. When Tippett was searched, she attempted to discard suspected synthetic marijuana, which she had concealed on her person. Also hidden on Tippett’s person was a suspected synthetic marijuana cigarette.
Tippett was charged with Possession of Contraband in a Place of Confinement by Cpl. Potter# 255. CASE# 7502-19
Assault- On February 7, 2019, Dep. Raley responded to the 42300 block of Calvert Circle in Mechanicsville, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Teresa Lynn Wilkes, age 41 of Mechanicsville, threw an item at the victim, striking the victim in the head which caused injury to the victim.
Wilkes was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 7855-19
Theft- On February 8, 2018, Dep. Forinash responded to the 45100 block of First Colony Way in California, for the reported theft. Investigation determined Wayne Darnell Somerville, age 31 with no fixed address, was in the Target store and damaged numerous items in the electronics department by breaking into the packages and removing the security devices. Somerville then attempted to leave the store with the items concealed in his shopping cart.
Somerville was arrested and charged with Theft and Malicious Destruction of Property. CASE# 8165-19
Assault- On February 8, 2019, Dep. Shelko responded to the 29700 block of Allen Road in Mechanicsville for a reported disturbance. Investigation determined Eric Douglas Fortner, age 39 of Mechanicsville assaulted the victim during an argument. Fortner grabbed the victim around the neck, and also kicked holes in a door, broke the victim’s glasses, and a kitchen table.
Fortner was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Malicious Destruction of Property. CASE# 8258-19
Drug Arrest- On February 9, 2019, Dep. Forbes responded to the 21400 block of Manon Way in Lexington Park, for the reported suspicious vehicle. Dep. Forbes located the vehicle and made contact with the operator Franklin Lee Russell, age 22 of Lexington Park. Russell was observed moving something under the seat of his car; Dep. Forbes recognized the odor of marijuana emitting from Russell’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle yielded a backpack containing packages of suspected marijuana, two scales, and edible suspected THC.
Russell was arrested and charged with CDS-Possession: Marijuana Greater than 10 Grams, and CDS-Possession: Paraphernalia. Additional charges pending a review with the States Attorney. CASE# 8274-19