Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lonnell Belcher, 49, of Lexington Park, late October 1, 2025, after reports of a disturbance involving a firearm at an establishment in the 22000 block of Three Notch Road. The incident began around 11:30 p.m. when deputies responded but initially found no one at the scene. Victims later returned and described an assault where a man shattered their vehicle’s rear passenger window and pointed a gun at them.
Deputies located a matching vehicle, conducted a traffic stop and recovered a loaded handgun. Belcher was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, charged with three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of knowingly transporting a handgun on public roadways, two counts of carrying a loaded handgun on or about their person, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and a crime of violence, and malicious destruction of property.
The charges stem from the victims’ account of the confrontation, which escalated to property damage and threats with the weapon. No injuries were reported in the release from the sheriff’s office. Belcher remains in custody at the detention center, which holds about 300 inmates and provides rehabilitation programs including education and substance abuse treatment.
Under Maryland law, first-degree assault involves intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury or using a firearm to commit assault, classified as a felony with penalties up to 25 years in prison. A second conviction requires a minimum 10-year sentence, escalating to 25 years for a third. Second-degree assault, a misdemeanor, covers intentional physical harm or threats causing fear of imminent harm, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or a $2,500 fine.
Knowingly transporting a handgun on public roadways violates Criminal Law Section 4-203, prohibiting wear, carry or transport of handguns without a permit, with penalties up to three years and $2,500 for first offenses, increasing for repeats. Carrying a loaded handgun on the person carries similar restrictions, with mandatory minimums of 30 days for loaded weapons and up to five years overall. Use of a firearm in a felony or crime of violence, under Section 4-204, mandates a five-year minimum sentence without parole for first offenses, doubling for subsequent convictions. Malicious destruction of property prohibits willful damage to another’s property, a misdemeanor with up to three years or $2,500 if damage exceeds $1,000, or 60 days if under.
