On February 5, Deputy Anthony Whipkey was on Gloucester Court in Lexington Park attempting to locate a vehicle related to a previously reported fight.  He approached an occupied vehicle and spoke with the sole occupant, who was a passenger, and learned they were waiting for a friend who was retrieving some items from a residence.

While speaking with the passenger, Whipkey detected an odor of Marijuana originating from the vehicle. The vehicle owner/friend was observed exiting a nearby residence and was confronted by Deputy Whipkey.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 1.6 grams of suspected Marijuana, a smoking device with suspected Marijuana residue and a container of pills identified to be Valium. 

The vehicle owner, Benjamin Ray Hamlet, 19 of Leonardtown, was arrested and charged with possession of Marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a schedule IV drug (Valium). 

Benjamin Hamlet was released to the custody of the St. Mary’s County Detention Center pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner