Mechanicsville Man Faces New CDS Charges Following Arrest On Multiple Warrants

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — Richard Lester Maples, 62, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on Nov. 8, 2025, on multiple failure-to-appear warrants and an additional arrest warrant related to prior theft charges.

During the arrest, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) reported locating suspected controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and drug paraphernalia, resulting in new charges for CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.

According to police reports, deputies approached Maples’ last known residence, where he was found standing in the front yard. Deputies instructed Maples to remove his hands from his pockets, at which time several folded papers allegedly fell to the ground.

After detaining Maples, deputies retrieved the papers and reported that a white powdery substance was found inside. Deputies confirmed Maples’ identity and placed him under arrest based on active warrants for two counts of Theft: $100 to under $1,500 and one count of Theft Less Than $100. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a glass smoking device from his right front pocket containing burnt white residue that deputies suspected to be crack cocaine.

According to court records, Maples was already linked to two separate CDS-related incidents in July 2025. In the first incident, SMCSO deputies were alerted by a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputy who reported observing a male and female inside a silver Toyota Tacoma appearing to smoke crack cocaine.

SMCSO deputies later located the vehicle, which was found to display two license plates not registered to the truck. Police documents state that Maples consented to a search of the vehicle, during which deputies reported observing a compressed off-white substance suspected to be crack cocaine beside the driver’s seat. A glass smoking device was also allegedly recovered from beneath the driver’s seat. Maples was taken into custody without further incident.

In a second July incident, an SMCSO deputy observed a silver Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on Three Notch Road. The deputy recognized the vehicle as one typically operated by Maples and verified active warrants for his arrest.

During a traffic stop, deputies reported seeing a baggie thrown from the passenger-side window into a nearby yard. Both occupants were detained, and deputies recovered two baggies from the yard containing approximately 3 grams and 2.3 grams of an off-white, rock-like substance. A search of the vehicle reportedly produced a glass smoking device containing suspected cocaine residue. Deputies also determined that Maples was operating the vehicle on a suspended license.

He was charged with three counts of CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia, four counts of CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis, one count of Altering Physical Evidence, and one count of Littering Under 100 lbs, from a Vehicle.

Maples is scheduled to appear in court for the November 2025 charges, with additional hearings pending for the July incidents. Under Maryland law, Theft: $100 to under $1,500 carries a maximum penalty of up to 18 months of incarceration per count, and Theft Less Than $100 carries a maximum of 90 days. CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis is punishable by up to four years of incarceration, while CDS paraphernalia possession carries a maximum penalty of one year. Charges related to altering physical evidence and littering may result in additional penalties upon conviction.

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