UPDATE November 13, 2024: Leonardtown, MD- Detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jerod Adam Taylor on Tuesday night at his home on open warrants tied to an extensive weapons cache discovered last week, which included illegal firearms, ammunition, and gun manufacturing tools. The arrest occurred at approximately 7 p.m., and Taylor was taken into custody without incident. He is now awaiting a bond hearing at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, Maryland.
The investigation, which began on November 7, led detectives to a substantial cache of weaponry and equipment at Taylor’s property. According to authorities, the seizure included around 80 firearms, several 3D-printed “ghost guns,” an AK-47, a fully automatic rifle, and a short-barreled rifle. These weapons are believed to violate several Maryland and federal firearm regulations, particularly those surrounding unregistered or illegally modified firearms.
Authorities further detailed that in addition to firearms, the confiscated items included large-capacity magazines, suppressors, auto sears, more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition, body armor, and various tools for gun manufacturing. “Ghost guns”—firearms assembled from parts that often lack serial numbers—are particularly concerning to law enforcement due to their potential to circumvent standard tracking and regulatory measures. These untraceable firearms have been increasingly linked to criminal activity nationwide, prompting legal restrictions in some jurisdictions.
Taylor’s arrest followed days of investigative work by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office as they sought to understand the extent of the weapons operation and the potential risk to the community. The Sheriff’s Office has not yet disclosed whether they believe Taylor acted alone or if additional suspects are involved. “This is an active and ongoing investigation,” a press release for the Sheriff’s Office said, emphasizing that no further details were available.
Taylor’s apprehension is the latest development in a series of ongoing investigations by Maryland law enforcement targeting illegal firearms and manufacturing operations. Maryland has strict regulations on firearms, particularly concerning assault weapons, short-barreled rifles, and unregistered firearms such as ghost guns. Earlier this year, Maryland’s state legislature passed laws restricting ghost guns, requiring them to have serial numbers and be registered with the state, furthering efforts to curb the flow of untraceable firearms.
The inclusion of automatic firearms and equipment designed to modify firearms for automatic fire raises further concerns for law enforcement agencies in Maryland. According to federal law, the possession and distribution of such devices without proper licensing are prohibited, and offenders face stringent penalties. The discovery of auto sears, devices that can convert a semiautomatic weapon into fully automatic fire, suggests the potential for highly dangerous, military-grade capabilities in civilian settings, adding urgency to the investigation.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has underscored its commitment to community safety, acknowledging that illegal firearms represent a substantial risk to public safety. Weapons capable of rapid or automatic fire, combined with high-capacity magazines and body armor, pose additional dangers in the event of criminal use. Local residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity and to reach out to law enforcement with tips regarding illegal firearms or associated paraphernalia.
As of Wednesday, Taylor remained at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, where he is expected to face a bond hearing in the coming days. The court will assess whether to release him on bond while he awaits trial or if he will remain in custody due to the serious nature of the charges against him. The investigation into the origin and potential distribution of the weapons and equipment remains ongoing.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided further comment on whether additional arrests are anticipated or if Taylor’s alleged operation had ties to larger networks. With the growing focus on ghost guns and automatic weapon conversions in Maryland, this case may contribute to ongoing discussions in the state regarding firearm regulations and community safety.
For updates on the investigation, St. Mary’s County residents can monitor the Sheriff’s Office announcements at St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
Lexington Park, MD- On November 7, at approximately 9:23 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a domestic assault at a residence located in the 20000 block of Goddard Road in Lexington Park. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Jerod Adam Taylor, fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
During their investigation, deputies discovered that Taylor, who is legally barred from firearm possession due to prior convictions and an outstanding arrest warrant for theft, appeared to have amassed a significant collection of weapons. Firearms and related components were found in plain view within the residence.
The following day, November 8, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division executed search warrants for the residence and nearby vehicles. The search revealed an extensive cache of weapons and gun-making equipment. Among the items recovered were:
- Multiple 3D-printed “ghost guns” lacking serial numbers
- Semi-automatic rifles, handguns, and shotguns
- An AK-47 semi-automatic rifle
- Numerous large-capacity magazines
- 18 suppressors
- 74 auto sears, devices that modify firearms for fully automatic fire
- Over 1,300 rounds of ammunition
- Body armor
- A 3D-printed, fully automatic rifle equipped with an auto sear
- A short-barreled rifle
- 3D printers and various gun manufacturing tools
In total, 80 firearms were confiscated from the property.
Based on the findings, detectives have applied for several charges against Taylor, including:
- Illegal possession of ammunition
- Unlawful possession of an assault weapon with intent to sell
- Unlawful possession of a detached magazine over ten rounds
- Rapid fire trigger activator violation
- Machinegun: failure to keep registered
- Possession of a machine gun for an aggressive purpose
- Illegal possession of a regulated firearm
- Possession of a rifle/shotgun by a disqualified person
- Possession of an unregistered rifle/shotgun
- Second-degree assault
Jerod Adam Taylor remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with a fair complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes.
Authorities urge anyone who spots Taylor to avoid approaching him, report any immediate sighting without delay, and call 911 immediately. Detective First Class David Lawrence is leading the investigation and can be reached at 301-475-4200, ext. 8130, or via email at David.Lawrence@stmaryscountymd.gov.
For anonymous tips, individuals can contact Crime Solvers. To do so, type “Tip239” in the message block and send. Crime Solvers ensures anonymity and may offer a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
