Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Anne Arundel County Fire Department announced felony charges against a 37-year-old Annapolis man after a search warrant uncovered numerous suspected explosive devices linked to an investigation into illegal nighttime deer hunting.
On April 14, 2026, members of the Maryland Natural Resources Police Tactical Response Team executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of Blackwalnut Lane in Annapolis. The operation revealed multiple suspected destructive devices and related materials inside the home.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department Office of the Fire Marshal, along with the FBI, ATF and Annapolis Fire Department, assisted at the scene. County fire officials seized the destructive devices, while Maryland Natural Resources Police seized numerous weapons, optics, suppressors and ammunition. Investigators suspect the items were used in the illegal harvest of several deer found in surrounding areas during February and March 2026.
Lee Scott Wygal Ralston, 37, of Annapolis, faces 32 felony counts of manufacturing a destructive device and 32 felony counts of possession of a destructive device. The charges were filed by Anne Arundel County Fire Department investigators. Additional criminal and natural resources charges remain pending from the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigation.
Ralston was ordered held without bond following his initial court appearance. The case stems from a months-long probe into illegal nighttime hunting, including an incident in which gunfire struck a residence.
Maryland Natural Resources Police thanked local, state and federal partners for their collaboration in ensuring the safety of Maryland residents. The investigation continues, and authorities ask anyone with information to contact investigators at 410-260-8888.
For residents in Southern Maryland, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, the case underscores ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal hunting and related public safety threats. Maryland Natural Resources Police officers patrol waterways and woodlands across the state, including popular hunting areas in Southern Maryland where white-tailed deer populations draw both legal hunters and those who violate regulations. Nighttime hunting from roadways or with spotlights remains illegal under state law and poses risks to public safety, property and wildlife management.
Illegal deer harvesting can disrupt local ecosystems and affect licensed hunters who follow seasons and bag limits set by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In Southern Maryland, where rural properties and wooded areas border residential neighborhoods, stray gunfire or illegal activity can endanger families and livestock. The discovery of destructive devices in this case highlights how wildlife violations sometimes intersect with more serious weapons-related offenses.
Maryland Natural Resources Police routinely work with county fire marshals and federal agencies on cases involving firearms, suppressors or explosives that surface during natural resources investigations. Southern Maryland communities benefit from this interagency cooperation, which helps maintain safe outdoor recreation spaces and protects residents from unregulated hazards.
The charges against Ralston reflect Maryland’s strict laws on destructive devices, which carry significant penalties to deter manufacturing and possession that could endanger communities. Officials emphasize that such enforcement protects both people and natural resources across the state, from the Chesapeake Bay shores in Southern Maryland to urban areas like Annapolis.
This incident serves as a reminder for hunters and residents to report suspicious nighttime activity or illegal harvesting. Proper licensing, adherence to hunting regulations and safe firearm storage remain key to preventing escalation into larger public safety concerns.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police continue to investigate additional aspects of the case, including any connection between the seized items and specific illegal hunting incidents in the Annapolis area and surrounding regions. Southern Maryland hunters and landowners are encouraged to stay informed through local DNR updates on seasons, reporting requirements and safety tips.
