The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit issued a public appeal on Oct. 28, 2025, for information leading to the arrest of Jason Shawn Smoot, 41, a La Plata resident facing multiple felony charges related to narcotics distribution and illegal firearm possession.
Smoot faces warrants for possession with intent to distribute narcotics, possession of controlled substances, illegal possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction, carrying a loaded firearm on his person and other related offenses. Authorities believe these stem from a recent investigation involving a search warrant that uncovered drugs and cash. The charges carry significant penalties under Maryland law, including up to 20 years in prison and fines of $15,000 for the distribution counts, with a mandatory minimum of five years without parole for the prohibited firearm possession.
Anyone with details on Smoot’s whereabouts should contact PFC Otey at 301-635-9529. For anonymity and eligibility for a cash reward of up to $1,000, tipsters must reach Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, submit online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or use the P3Intel mobile app.
Smoot’s case reflects a pattern in his record. Court records show a 2009 arrest alongside another individual for possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances during a traffic stop in Charles County. In 2010, officers charged him with fleeing from police after a pursuit linked to a suspended driver’s license. More recently, in August 2024, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence tied to Smoot, recovering large quantities of drugs and cash, leading to multiple distribution charges and a judicial order for pretrial detention.
