Maryland Natural Resources Police Uncover Criminal Activity On Busy Potomac River
NRP arrest 4 adults and 1 juvenile for drug related charges on the Potomac River.
NANJEMOY—Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged four Northern Virginia men with drug violations Saturday night while patrolling the Potomac River in Charles County.
The vessel was first apprehended at approximately 9 p.m. in the area of Fairview Beach when officers observed a navigational light violation. Upon addressing the boating violation with the four adults and one juvenile aboard, officers observed and located a suspected controlled dangerous substance (CDS). Upon the arrest and further search of the vessel and its occupants additional CDS was located.
Michael Brian Johnson, 37 of Midland, Va., also the owner of the vessel, was charged with 1) Possession of Marijuana, 2) Possession of CDS Paraphernalia and 3) Improper display of navigation lights.
Gerald Wayne Newhouse Jr., 34 of Stafford, Va., was a passenger aboard and also charged with 1) Possession of Marijuana, and 2) Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.
Harold Maxwell Owens Jr., 43 of Stafford, Va., was a passenger aboard and also charged with 1) Possession of Marijuana, and 2) Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.
The fourth adult and also a passenger aboard, a Charles Donald Parks, 31 of Spotsylvania, Va., was also charged with 1) Possession of Marijuana, and 2) Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.
A juvenile aboard was also charged with 1) Possession of Marijuana, and 2) Possession of CDS Paraphernalia. The juvenile was released to a family member, and the four adults were taken before a Charles County District Court Commissioner and released on their own recognizance.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 214 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.