Broken Brake Light Leads Deputies To 14 Grams Of Suspected Cocaine In St. Leonard

ST. LEONARD, Md. — Two St. Leonard men are facing felony drug distribution charges after a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office investigation included undercover surveillance, an alleged hand-to-hand drug transaction in Waldorf, a traffic stop and the recovery of approximately 14 grams of suspected cocaine by packaged weight, according to court documents.

William Leroy Barnes Jr., 47, of St. Leonard, and Thomas Edward Fink, 64, of St. Leonard, were each charged with felony possession of a narcotic with intent to distribute and misdemeanor possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis following their arrests Aug. 18.

According to statements of probable cause, Drug Enforcement Unit investigators were contacted during the summer of 2026 by a confidential source who alleged Barnes and Fink were distributing cocaine in Calvert County.

The source reportedly told investigators that Barnes was distributing cocaine from his St. Leonard residence and that Barnes did not have a valid driver’s license and frequently relied on Fink for transportation.

Investigators determined Fink operated a red Ford Escape registered to his partner, according to the charging documents. Authorities subsequently opened a drug investigation involving both men.

On Aug. 18, members of the Drug Enforcement Unit began undercover surveillance.

At approximately 11:55 a.m., investigators said they saw Fink park the Ford Escape in front of Barnes’ residence. Fink was then observed entering the residence through the front door, court documents state.

Approximately seven minutes later, at about 12:02 p.m., Barnes exited the residence, entered the front passenger seat of the Escape and left the area with Fink driving.

Investigators followed the vehicle as it traveled from Calvert County to the Waldorf Roller Skating Center on Leonardtown Road in Charles County.

At approximately 12:51 p.m., investigators said Barnes and Fink met with a man driving a black Mitsubishi.

Detectives alleged they observed what, based on their training and experience, they believed was a hand-to-hand controlled dangerous substance transaction in exchange for U.S. currency.

Court documents state Barnes and Fink then returned to the Ford Escape and drove away. Investigators noted that neither man entered or patronized businesses in the immediate area and alleged the circumstances further indicated the trip to Waldorf had been made for a drug transaction.

The Ford Escape then traveled directly back toward Calvert County, according to the probable cause statements.

While detectives continued surveillance, investigators said neither Barnes nor Fink appeared to be wearing a seat belt.

Authorities also reported that the Ford Escape had an inoperable brake light and alleged Fink failed to use a turn signal while turning left onto Elm Road from Valley Drive.

Based on the alleged traffic violations and observations made during the investigation, deputies conducted a traffic stop near Elm Road and South Harbor Drive in St. Leonard.

A sheriff’s office K-9 partner, Rico, was brought to the vehicle for an open-air sniff.

According to the charging documents, Rico displayed what his handler described as a change in behavior indicating an alert to the odor of controlled dangerous substances before sitting at the front driver’s-side door.

Deputies then searched the vehicle.

During the search, investigators said they found a Marlboro cigarette box in the driver’s door pocket containing two separate quantities of a white powdery substance suspected to be Schedule II cocaine.

One plastic bag weighed approximately 3 grams with packaging, while a blue metal container inside the same cigarette box contained another quantity of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 8.8 grams with packaging, court documents state.

Deputies also searched Barnes and allegedly recovered another plastic bag containing approximately 2.2 grams with packaging of suspected cocaine from his crotch area.

Combined, the three quantities described in the probable cause statement weighed approximately 14 grams with packaging.

Investigators also seized two cellphones belonging to Barnes and Fink for further digital analysis.

After both men were advised of their Miranda rights, they agreed to speak with investigators, according to court documents.

According to court documents, investigators said Barnes acknowledged that he and Fink had traveled to Waldorf to purchase cocaine but would not identify the alleged supplier.

Investigators wrote that, based on the approximate amount of suspected cocaine recovered and information gathered during the investigation, they believed the quantity was inconsistent with an amount intended solely for personal use and was instead consistent with possession with intent to distribute.

Authorities also noted that no items they considered paraphernalia associated with the consumption of cocaine were found inside the vehicle.

Barnes and Fink were arrested and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center. Each was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis.

Court records show Barnes and Fink were initially ordered held without bond on Aug. 18 following their arrests.

Both appeared for bail review the following morning, Aug. 19, before Calvert County District Court Judge John P. McKenna.

McKenna ordered both men released on their own recognizance.

Barnes and Fink are each scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 18, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.

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