LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Patrol deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-year-old Davonn Lionell Atkins of Leonardtown on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Atkins was taken into custody on an open warrant for first-degree assault, and during the arrest, deputies also recovered an unregistered handgun from his vehicle.
The arrest followed a tip provided to law enforcement regarding Atkins’s whereabouts. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were patrolling the area of Sunnyside Road and Pin Cushion Road in Leonardtown when they observed Atkins driving a vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated, and Atkins was arrested without incident on the outstanding warrant for first-degree assault.
After Atkins was taken into custody, deputies conducted a search of his vehicle. During the search, they discovered a loaded handgun that was unregistered. Further investigation revealed that Atkins did not possess a valid permit to carry the weapon.
The charges against Atkins include wear, carry, and transport of a handgun on his person, possession of a loaded handgun on his person, possession of a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and handgun wear, carry, and transport on public roads. These charges reflect the serious nature of possessing and transporting a firearm without proper documentation or a permit, in addition to the assault charge related to the outstanding warrant.
Atkins was subsequently transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center following his arrest. As of this report, he remains in custody while awaiting further court proceedings.
The incident marks another significant step in the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to address illegal firearm possession and ensure the safety of the community. Sheriff’s deputies routinely patrol high-risk areas and respond to tips provided by the public to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants or those engaging in criminal activity. The seizure of an unregistered handgun in this case underscores the broader goal of reducing gun violence and ensuring that individuals who unlawfully possess firearms are held accountable.
This arrest adds to the growing list of individuals apprehended for similar offenses, as law enforcement in St. Mary’s County continues to prioritize public safety and uphold Maryland’s strict gun laws. It is illegal in Maryland to carry or transport a handgun without a valid permit, and violators face potential fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Atkins’s initial assault charge is ongoing, though no further details have been released at this time. It is also unclear if the firearm found during the traffic stop was involved in the alleged assault.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this case or other ongoing investigations to contact the office’s tip line. Community involvement remains a critical component of law enforcement efforts to reduce crime and promote public safety.
