$850 Ghost Gun Sale Caught On Camera: Lexington Park And Leonardtown Teens Held Without Bond

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Authorities reported they uncovered evidence of an illegal sale involving an untraceable “ghost gun,” and both men are being held without bond ahead of their Jan. 6, 2026, trial. If convicted, they face multiple years in prison and fines under Maryland law.

Jayden Robert Coates, 20, of Lexington Park, and co-suspect Omari Lee Miles, 18, of Leonardtown, were each issued arrest warrants on Dec. 15, 2025. Coates is charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, regulated firearm unlawful sale and regulated firearm illegal sale. Miles is charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, handgun on person, loaded handgun on person and regulated firearm unlawful sale. Trial date schedules are pending.

According to court documents, on Aug. 11, 2025, investigators obtained a search warrant to retrieve probable cause from cellular phone data seized during an unrelated weapons investigation involving Miles. The data allegedly revealed a June conversation between Miles and Coates in which Coates sent photographs of firearms, including a semiautomatic handgun with a gold-colored slide and black frame. Investigators identified the firearm as a Polymer80 handgun, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun” because it is privately made and lacks a serial number.

Court records provide details of messages recovered from the device showing the two men allegedly negotiating a sale price of $850 and agreeing to meet in a wooded area off Point Lookout Road, just north of Whitaker Road. Another conversation later in June allegedly showed Coates asking Miles if he had fired the gun. Miles then reportedly sent a video of himself shooting a handgun in what investigators say appears to be the same wooded area referenced in the messages.

Police reports state that law enforcement went to the location and recovered six spent 9mm shell casings consistent with the firearm shown in the communications. On Oct. 18, 2025, Miles was arrested, and investigators located a 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a gold-colored slide and black frame allegedly in his waistband. Detectives reported that the gun was determined to match the firearm displayed in the earlier communications.

Under Maryland law, possession of a firearm by a minor carries a maximum penalty of three years of incarceration and a $2,500 fine. Handgun on person carries up to three years, while loaded handgun on person carries up to three years. Unlawful sale of a regulated firearm and illegal sale of a regulated firearm each carry a maximum penalty of five years of incarceration and a $10,000 fine.

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