LEXINGTON PARK — A Lexington Park man who authorities say is barred from having guns because of a prior violent conviction is facing 11 charges after detectives found him carrying a loaded handgun and suspected cocaine and heroin, according to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Wade Joshua Braithwaite, 33, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, on Columbus Drive in Lexington Park after an investigation into suspected drug distribution, the agency said in an Oct. 15 release. He was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives had obtained search and seizure warrants. A search turned up a loaded Canik METE MC9 semiautomatic handgun with a round in the chamber, quantities of suspected cocaine and heroin that police said indicated an intent to distribute, and $655 in cash. Deputies serving another warrant at a home in the 21000 block of St. Lo Place found Braithwaite’s Honda Accord there, with suspected drug paraphernalia inside, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The charges are accusations. Braithwaite is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The release did not say whether he is being held or list an attorney or court date.
The charges and what they carry
The charges and the maximum penalties under Maryland law include:
- Possession with intent to distribute a narcotic such as cocaine or heroin (two counts): up to 20 years and a $25,000 fine per count under Criminal Law Section 5-608.
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (two counts): up to one year and a $5,000 fine per count.
- Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime: at least five years and up to 20 years under Section 5-621.
- Possessing a regulated firearm after a crime-of-violence conviction: a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 15 years under Public Safety Section 5-133.
- Three more firearm and ammunition counts tied to his prior convictions, and two counts of carrying a loaded handgun.
The release did not describe Braithwaite’s earlier convictions. The firearm counts indicate police believe he has a prior conviction for a crime of violence and for a felony.
The Sheriff’s Office said no current booking photo is available.
Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Tips can be submitted anonymously by texting 847411 with a message that starts with “SMCSO,” through FirstSheriff.com/tips, through the agency’s mobile app, or by calling Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, which may pay a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
Earlier this month, the sheriff said most crime in St. Mary’s is falling even as domestic violence rises.
