Leonardtown, MD— During the recent increased holiday patrols performed by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Vice/Narcotics detectives and deputies from the COPS Unit combined their efforts in a covert crime prevention operation. The operation took place in a shopping center and detectives observed Joseph Henry Payne (Age 38 of Lexington Park, MD) meet with another individual, suspect Raymond Anthony Jones, Sr. (Age 48 of Great Mills, MD). Detectives observed a drug transaction between the two and both suspects were detained. Cocaine, more than $2,200 in cash, a cellular phone and a 2006 Hyundai Elantra was seized pending a search and seizure warrant.
Suspect Payne was charged with “Distribution of Cocaine” and suspect Jones, Sr. was charged with “Possession of Cocaine”. Suspect Payne is a registered sexual offender and proper notification was made regarding his arrest. Additional charges against suspect Payne are pending a review with State’s Attorney Richard D. Fritz.
