LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Christopher Ian Bailey, 20, of Leonardtown, on June 26, 2025, after a foot chase in Lexington Park, recovering a loaded, unserialized AR-15-style pistol and a 50-round drum magazine. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. during proactive enforcement near Columbus Drive.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division observed Bailey, suspected of possessing a firearm, and attempted to apprehend him. Bailey fled, discarding an item into a dumpster during the brief chase. He was arrested in the 21000 block of Liberty Street without further incident. A search of the dumpster uncovered a loaded AR-15-style pistol with a full magazine and a chambered round. A discarded backpack nearby contained a loaded 50-round drum magazine for a 9mm handgun.
Bailey was transported to Leonardtown’s St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. He faces charges of possession of a regulated firearm by a person under 21, wearing or carrying a loaded handgun on or about his person, and possession of a handgun on his person. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities seek additional information from the public.
Deputy Devin Absher is leading the investigation and can be contacted at 301-475-4200, ext. 8054, or via email at Devin.Absher@stmaryscountymd.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333 or by texting “Tip239” to 274637, following the response to continue the conversation. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.
The recovery of an unserialized firearm, often called a “ghost gun” due to its lack of a traceable serial number, underscores the sheriff’s office’s efforts to address illegal weapons. The AR-15-style pistol, ready to fire with a chambered round, and the high-capacity 50-round drum magazine posed significant risks to public safety. Maryland’s firearms laws prohibit individuals under 21 from possessing regulated firearms and impose strict penalties for carrying loaded handguns in public. Bailey’s charges reflect these violations, with the unserialized firearm adding a layer of concern due to its untraceable nature.
The Criminal Investigations Division, tasked with handling major crimes, conducted the proactive enforcement in Lexington Park, a known area for occasional criminal activity. The swift apprehension of Bailey and recovery of the weapons prevented potential harm in the community. The sheriff’s office relies on community cooperation to further the investigation, particularly to uncover the origin of the unserialized firearm and drum magazine.
Crime Solvers’ anonymous tip line has been effective in past investigations, and the sheriff’s office encourages its use in this case. Bailey awaits a bond hearing at the detention center, and the case will proceed through the St. Mary’s County judicial system. Additional details or tips can be shared via the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office website.
