Southern Maryland faced a series of significant developments from June 22 to 27, 2025, ranging from criminal convictions and cold case breakthroughs to state budget adjustments. In Calvert County, a jury convicted Brandy Leigh Leagan, 31, of Prince Frederick, on June 18, 2025, for impaired driving and two counts of child neglect after crashing her vehicle with her children inside, underscoring local efforts to curb DUI incidents. Meanwhile, Charles County investigators identified LaQuanda Denise “Niecey” Williams as a 1998 murder victim. However, her killer remains at large, and St. Mary’s County saw the arrest of Douglas Aaron Chance, 49, for firing a shotgun at a repossession agent, highlighting regional focus on public safety.
Statewide, the Moore administration announced a $121 million cut to Maryland’s personnel budget through buyouts, a hiring freeze, and eliminating 150 vacant positions, addressing fiscal challenges while prioritizing essential services. Southern Maryland counties also advanced local priorities, with Calvert approving a $386 million budget for 2026 and St. Mary’s funding tourism and small business growth. These events, alongside environmental concerns like the Chesapeake Bay’s near-record low crab population, reflect a week of challenges and progress across the region.
Calvert County
Jury Convicts Woman for DUI, Child Neglect in Calvert: A Calvert County jury convicted Brandy Leigh Leagan, 31, of Prince Frederick, on June 18, 2025, of two counts of child neglect and impaired driving following a brief deliberation of approximately 15 minutes. The conviction stems from an incident on January 21, 2024, when Leagan crashed her vehicle with her two minor children in the back seat after driving under the influence of alcohol.
Charles County
LaQuanda Williams ID’d in 2024, Case Remains Open: After 25 years, Charles County Sheriff’s Office has identified a woman found murdered in a Bel Alton field in June 1998 as LaQuanda Denise “Niecey” Williams, aged 31 at the time of her death. The breakthrough, announced in October 2023, followed a tip received after a televised news story marking the case’s 25th anniversary. While Williams’ identity is now known, her killer remains at large, and investigators are actively pursuing new leads.
St. Mary’s County
Man Fires Shotgun at Repo Agent, Arrested in Hollywood: A Hollywood man was arrested on June 22, 2025, after allegedly firing a shotgun and threatening a repossession agent during an early-morning confrontation. Douglas Aaron Chance, 49, faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault and illegal firearm possession, following the incident at a residence in the 25000 block of Gallant Fox Drive.
State of Maryland/National
Buyout offers, hiring freeze coming for state government amid budget crunch: The Moore administration plans to slash about $121 million from the state’s personnel budget through a combination of buyouts to state employees, a hiring freeze and elimination of at least 150 vacant positions, officials said Tuesday.
