Dowell Man Held Without Bond After Traffic Stop In Leonardtown Leads To Cocaine, Crack Cocaine

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A Dowell man was ordered held without bond after deputies said he fled from a traffic stop in Leonardtown and was later linked to multiple bags of cocaine and crack cocaine found near where his vehicle stopped.

Joseph Valentino Thomas, 37, of Dowell, was charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, not cannabis, following the June 16, 2026, incident.

Charging documents also list several traffic-related citations, including failure to stop at a stop sign, driving on a suspended license, driving without the required license and attempting to elude police.

According to charging documents, a St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was conducting traffic enforcement around 2:58 p.m. at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Bachellor Street in Leonardtown when he saw a black Chevrolet TrailBlazer fail to stop at a stop sign.

The sergeant pulled behind the vehicle and recognized Thomas as the driver. Charging documents state the sergeant was familiar with Thomas from multiple previous CDS-related investigations.

When the sergeant activated emergency lights, the vehicle initially stopped at Lawrence Avenue and Fenwick Street, according to charging documents. After the sergeant got out of the cruiser, Thomas allegedly fled in the Chevrolet.

The sergeant returned to the cruiser and pursued the vehicle into the parking lot of 41590 Fenwick Street, where the Chevrolet stopped again. Charging documents state Thomas got out of the vehicle and told the deputy he fled because he did not have a valid license.

After securing Thomas, the sergeant returned to the parking lot and found multiple bags containing cocaine and crack cocaine in the parking space next to where Thomas had stopped, according to charging documents.

Deputies also searched the vehicle and reported finding a torn piece of plastic on the driver’s floorboard that was consistent with the discarded bags located next to where the vehicle had initially stopped.

Charging documents state the three bags contained 57 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of crack cocaine and 4 grams of crack cocaine. A presumptive field test using a TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzer was positive for cocaine.

The sergeant wrote that the quantity, weight and packaging of the cocaine indicated Thomas possessed it with intent to distribute.

Charging documents also state Thomas has multiple prior convictions in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court for distribution-related offenses and was on parole for a prior possession with intent to distribute conviction.

Court records show Thomas was ordered held without bond on June 16 and again after a bail review hearing June 17 before Judge James Tanavage in St. Mary’s County District Court.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 16 in St. Mary’s County District Court.

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