Bulge In The Pant Leg: Assault Warrant Leads To Gun, Cash And Marijuana Seizure In Waldorf

WALDORF, Md. — A Waldorf man is being held without bond after deputies say they recovered a loaded handgun, nearly one pound of marijuana and suspected oxycodone tablets during a late-night encounter outside a Waldorf business.

Carioco Jovan Grimes, 37, of Waldorf, was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault in connection with a Feb. 26, 2026 incident in Charles County. An arrest warrant was issued Feb. 27 and served March 1, according to court records.

Court documents state the charges stem from a Feb. 26 incident at 3220 Crain Highway in Waldorf. Investigators allege Grimes approached the rear of a Pizza Hut while holding a brown military-style firearm and pointed the weapon at a man who works at a nearby business, telling him he was going to kill him. The man retreated inside and contacted emergency services, and Grimes left the area before deputies arrived.

According to the Statement of Probable Cause, on March 1 at approximately 8:24 a.m., a deputy initiated a stop on a suspicious red Toyota Prius parked in the area of 2570 Business Park Drive near The Cut Bar and Restaurant. Although the vehicle’s lights were off, exhaust fumes indicated it was running. The Prius displayed a Virginia registration plate.

The driver and sole occupant was identified as Grimes, who appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. The deputy knocked on the window several times before Grimes responded. He provided a Maryland identification card but stated he did not have a registration card for the vehicle.

A records check indicated an active warrant. Deputies returned to the vehicle and instructed Grimes to keep his hands visible and exit the car. Authorities state he refused to comply and concealed his hands from view. When deputies opened the driver’s door and began removing him, Grimes allegedly fled on foot.

Deputies quickly apprehended him and took him to the ground. While attempting to secure him, deputies observed him keeping his hands underneath his body and failing to follow commands to place them behind his back. As he was being stood up, a deputy noticed a bulge in his pant leg, which was determined to be a handgun.

Authorities recovered a loaded Taurus .40 caliber handgun that was determined to be unregistered. A search of Grimes’ person revealed a large amount of cash.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of nearly one pound of marijuana in the back seat along with packaging materials consistent with distribution. A digital scale was recovered from the driver’s side door compartment. An additional loaded magazine matching the handgun was located in the glove box. Deputies also found 2.5 tablets identified through a pill identifier as oxycodone on the passenger seat. The marijuana later tested positive during a field test, and the tablets were packaged for laboratory testing.

As a result, Grimes faces additional charges including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute cannabis, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance with a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, multiple handgun violations and resisting arrest.

Grimes was transported to the District III Station and later ordered held without bond following a March 2 bail review hearing before Judge Patrick J. Devine in Charles District Court.

A hearing is set for March 27, 2026 in Charles District Court.

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