NEWBURG, MD – The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police Wednesday arrested a Virginia man and two Maryland men during a traffic stop for possessing a stolen handgun and a large volume of prescription medications.
An MDTA Police officer assigned to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge stopped Najee Lasalle Anderson, 21, of Bowie on southbound US 301 prior to the toll plaza. Anderson, who was driving a 2004 Ford, was traveling 67 mph in a 25 mph zone. After a brief roadside interview, a loaded Glock handgun was located under a rear passenger seat. Multiple pint bottles of liquid prescription medication, pills and rifle ammunition also were located in the vehicle. Police took all four occupants of the vehicle into custody without incident.
“Another great effort by MDTA Police Officers in taking a stolen gun and drugs off Maryland roadways before they infiltrate our local communities,” said MDTA Police Chief Colonel Jerry Jones. “The MDTA Police stands with our local law enforcement partners to battle the opioid epidemic in our State.”
The MDTA Police charged Anderson with drug possession, and drug possession with intent to distribute. In addition, he was charged with exceeding the maximum posted speed and failure to display a registration card on demand.
The MDTA Police also charged Larry Sylvester Moore, 21, of Bowie with two counts of drug possession and obliterating a label on a prescription drug. Christopher David Johnson, 22, of Stafford, VA, was charged with numerous firearms violations, including possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, firearm possession while engaging in drug trafficking and possession of ammunition after being prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm.
After processing, a Charles County Sheriff’s Deputy transported the three to the Charles County Detention Center for their appearance before a District Court Commissioner. A fourth individual was released without charges.
