On September 5, 2025, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested James Roy Chase, 38, of Mechanicsville, following the execution of residential and body search warrants at an apartment in the 28000 block of Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown. The operation, conducted by the Criminal Investigations Division, led to the discovery of suspected crack cocaine, a knife with suspected controlled dangerous substance (CDS) residue, CDS paraphernalia, and multiple rounds of .270-caliber rifle ammunition. Chase faces charges including possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of CDS production equipment, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person due to a prior felony conviction, and one count of child neglect.
The search revealed CDS paraphernalia scattered throughout the apartment, including in the bedroom of a 3-year-old child, prompting the child neglect charge. This charge reflects Maryland’s legal framework under Family Law Article § 5-701, which defines neglect as leaving a child in conditions that pose substantial risk of harm, such as exposure to illegal substances or paraphernalia. The presence of drug-related items in the child’s living space raised significant safety concerns, as prolonged exposure to such environments can endanger a child’s physical and emotional well-being.
Chase’s possession of .270-caliber rifle ammunition violated Maryland’s Firearms Safety Act of 2013, which prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing ammunition (Public Safety Article § 5-133). His prior felony conviction, though not detailed in the report, disqualified him from legally possessing the ammunition found during the search. The suspected crack cocaine and paraphernalia, including the knife with residue, led to charges under Maryland’s Controlled Dangerous Substances laws (Criminal Law Article § 5-601 and § 5-619), which penalize possession and intent to use drug-related equipment. The production equipment charge suggests items used in drug manufacturing or distribution, though specifics were not disclosed.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, serving a county of approximately 113,510 residents across 367 square miles, operates with a focus on community safety and drug enforcement. Leonardtown, the county seat, is a hub for such operations, given its central location and proximity to major routes like Point Lookout Road (MD Route 5). The Sheriff’s Office has prioritized cracking down on drug-related crimes, with 2024 data showing over 200 drug-related arrests in the county, reflecting ongoing efforts to address substance abuse in Southern Maryland
This arrest follows a pattern of drug-related enforcement in St. Mary’s County. In March 2020, Chase was arrested for possession of suspected cocaine and oxycodone while serving an unrelated warrant, indicating a history of drug-related offenses. The recurrence underscores challenges in combating repeat offenders, a concern for local law enforcement as opioid and stimulant use persists in the region. Southern Maryland’s proximity to major urban centers like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore makes it a corridor for drug trafficking, amplifying the Sheriff’s Office’s vigilance.
Chase was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, where he awaits a bond hearing. Maryland’s judicial process for such cases typically involves a preliminary hearing within 30 days, where prosecutors must establish probable cause. If convicted, penalties could include up to seven years for CDS possession (Criminal Law § 5-601), one year for paraphernalia (Criminal Law § 5-619), and additional time for child neglect and ammunition charges, depending on sentencing guidelines and prior convictions.
