WALDORF, Md. — A Waldorf man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after authorities allege he violated an active peace order and directed hate-based harassment toward a neighbor.
Stephen Anthony Martin, 35, of Waldorf, was charged Feb. 11, 2026, with a race/religion crime against a person or group, failure to comply with a peace order and harassment — a course of conduct, according to court records.
Court documents indicate the charges stem from an incident that occurred on or about Feb. 11 at a residence in Waldorf.
According to the application for statement of charges, the complainant reported that Martin yelled a homophobic slur multiple times from his porch as the complainant was walking back up a driveway after retrieving a package from an Amazon delivery driver. The complainant stated that Martin’s exterior lights activated, and shortly afterward he began shouting the slur repeatedly before going back inside.
Charging documents further allege that Martin’s conduct was part of an ongoing pattern of behavior that seriously annoyed and alarmed the complainant. The complainant told authorities that Martin has repeatedly used slurs and hateful rhetoric, and that she fears leaving her home due to the continued behavior.
At the time of the alleged incident, a peace order issued in October 2025 was active, prohibiting Martin from engaging in certain conduct toward the complainant. Prosecutors allege he failed to comply with the terms of that order.
The hate crime charge alleges that the conduct was motivated, at least in substantial part, by the complainant’s sexual orientation.
A criminal summons was issued Feb. 16. A preliminary inquiry hearing is scheduled for April 6, 2026, in Charles County District Court.
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