LEONARDTOWN, MD — In an unexpected turn during a routine patrol, a St. Mary’s County deputy discovered a stolen firearm in the vehicle of a sleeping driver on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Deputy Zachary Wolfe of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle parked at the intersection of Friendship School Road and Jones Road in Leonardtown.
Upon arrival, Deputy Wolfe noticed the vehicle’s engine running with a male asleep at the wheel. After waking the driver and engaging him in conversation, Wolfe spotted a holstered Glock 22 Gen 4 .40 caliber handgun in plain view. The driver, identified as 26-year-old James Gregory Smith from Hollywood, MD, disclosed the presence of a second loaded firearm in the vehicle.
Smith provided a valid Maryland wear-and-carry permit, but further investigation revealed that while he was the registered owner of the Glock, the second gun, a Kahr Arms CW9, had been reported stolen in 2020. The deputy seized the stolen weapon.
A search of Smith’s vehicle further led to the discovery of suspected controlled dangerous substance (CDS) paraphernalia. Smith was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a regulated firearm and four counts of CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, Smith was transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he is currently awaiting a bond hearing.
