Check-In Checkmate: Police Arrest Barred Newburg Man At La Plata Motel

LA PLATA, Md. — A Newburg man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after police say he was found trespassing at a La Plata motel, provided false information to officers, and was later discovered in possession of suspected controlled dangerous substances and drug paraphernalia.

Shawn Michael Miles, 33, of Newburg, was arrested Feb. 3 following a response by the La Plata Police Department and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to a reported disturbance at the Deluxe Inn on Crain Highway, according to court records.

Officers were dispatched after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed a man on a balcony on the top floor of the motel who turned around and quickly went back inside a room. As officers approached the stairwell, they encountered Miles attempting to exit the building.

According to the statement of probable cause, Miles told officers he had no knowledge of any disturbance and initially stated he did not have identification. When asked for his name and date of birth, police say Miles provided false information. A responding La Plata police officer later recognized him as Shawn Michael Miles and knew he had previously been barred indefinitely from the property.

After confronting Miles with that information, police say he admitted to providing a false name. Dispatch confirmed Miles had been barred from the motel in January 2025 by the property owner.

During a search incident to arrest, officers located a small plastic cylindrical container in Miles’ pocket containing a partially smoked cigarette with discoloration. Officers reported detecting a strong chemical odor consistent with phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP. Police also located a small tube with copper mesh, burn marks, and white powder residue, which officers identified as suspected drug paraphernalia commonly used to ingest controlled substances.

Court records state that while being searched, Miles made statements indicating he had a small amount of PCP and marijuana. He later acknowledged he was not permitted to be on the property.

Miles was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not including cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, making a false statement to a peace officer, making a false statement to an officer with intent to cause harm, and trespassing on private property. All charges are misdemeanors.

Court records show Miles was initially held on a $2,000 percentage bond on Feb. 3. Following a bail review hearing on Feb. 4, a judge ordered him held without bond.

A trial is scheduled for April 7 at 9 a.m. in Charles District Court.

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