The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office (SMCSO) Vice Narcotics Unit concluded a long-standing drug distribution investigation with a significant operation on August 22, 2024. In this coordinated effort, law enforcement officers executed search and seizure warrants at two residences in Southern Maryland, capturing three suspects on various felony charges.
Over a year in the making, the investigation previously saw actions in December 2023 that foreshadowed this latest crackdown. The individuals apprehended include John Kevin Fitzgerald Reed, 60, from Charlotte Hall; James Nathaniel Reed, 77, and Francis Lavern Reed, 55, both from Mechanicsville. They face multiple felony drug and firearm offenses following their indictment.
The search operations led to the recovery of an extensive array of illegal items. Authorities seized over 1,150 grams of cocaine and more than 455 grams of cannabis. Additionally, law enforcement found over 500 various unprescribed pills, signaling a broad drug trafficking operation. The operation also netted more than $17,700 in U.S. currency, 15 firearms, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The presence of firearms is particularly concerning, as all three suspects have prior convictions that legally bar them from possessing firearms. Notably, two of the seized firearms had been reported stolen, adding another layer of legal complications for the suspects.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement divisions and agencies. The SMCSO Criminal Investigations and Patrol Divisions, the Emergency Services Team, the Charles County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) all played roles in the arrests and seizures.
This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of local and federal agencies to combat drug trafficking and related crimes in Southern Maryland. The successful execution of these warrants marks a significant victory in the fight against illegal drug distribution and firearm possession in the region.
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