Mechanicsville Man Convicted In Knife Attack, Attempted Kidnapping Of Female Victim

LEONARDTOWN, Md. – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that William Francis Dixon, 52, of Mechanicsville, Maryland was convicted of attempted kidnapping, armed robbery, and other charges stemming from a March 2025 incident where he attacked a female victim with a knife in Mechanicsville, Maryland.

After a five-day trial, a St. Mary’s County jury found Dixon guilty of the following offenses:

• Attempted kidnapping (maximum penalty of 30 years in prison);
• Armed robbery (maximum penalty of 20 years in prison);
• First-degree assault (maximum penalty of 25 years in prison);
• Theft $100-$1,500 (maximum penalty of 6 months in prison); and
• Wear and carry dangerous weapon with intent to injure (maximum penalty of 3 years in prison).

“The victim bravely fought off a large stranger who attacked her with a knife. He pulled her from her car and tried to drag her to his vehicle. She escaped and quickly gave dispatchers critical information that helped investigators identify and locate her attacker,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “Because of her courage, a dangerous repeat violent offender was apprehended and successfully prosecuted.”

Dixon remains held without bond pending a sentencing hearing, where he faces a maximum sentence of 78 years in prison.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Alena Mosier and Assistant State’s Attorney Holley Hickman prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

Detective Andrew Burgess of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator.

The Honorable Timothy Doory presided over the case.