St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Arrest Lexington Park Man on Drug and Firearm Charges
(October 15, 2026 — Leonardtown, MD)
Detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served search and seizure warrants on Wade Joshua Braithwaite, 33, of Lexington Park, recovering a loaded handgun and suspected cocaine and heroin on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Following an investigation into suspected drug distribution activities, detectives obtained the warrants and located Braithwaite on Columbus Drive in Lexington Park. Detectives took Braithwaite into custody without incident. A search revealed a loaded Canik METE MC9 semiautomatic handgun with a round in the chamber and quantities of suspected cocaine and heroin indicating possession with intent to distribute. Deputies also recovered $655 in cash.
Additional deputies served search and seizure warrants at a residence in the 21000 block of St. Lo Place, where they located Braithwaite’s vehicle, a Honda Accord. Suspected controlled dangerous substance (CDS) paraphernalia was found in the vehicle.
Braithwaite was arrested and charged with 11 criminal counts, including:
• Two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance in sufficient quantity to indicate intent to distribute
• Two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime
• Possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted of a crime of violence
• Knowingly possessing a firearm after being convicted of a disqualifying crime
• Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony
• Possession of ammunition after being prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm
• Two counts of wearing, carrying or transporting a loaded handgun on his person
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008.
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Media Inquiries: ALisa Casas, Public Information Officer
SMCSO.PIO@stmaryscountymd.gov 301-475-4200, ext. 1986