CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — On April 2, 2025, at approximately 10:38 a.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic complaint near Beach Elementary School on Old Bayside Road, Chesapeake Beach. The incident led to the arrest of Derek James Ward, 39, of Friendship, Maryland, on multiple drug-related charges.
According to the official documents, a witness reported to authorities that a truck, later identified as a red and white 1999 Ford F350 with severely damaged registration plates, had repeatedly struck a curb while entering the school’s parking lot. The witness observed the truck’s driver on a cell phone during these maneuvers and subsequently left the area, with the truck following closely behind her vehicle.
The witness eventually stopped their vehicle on Old Bayside Road, where the truck’s driver exited his vehicle and approached them. The man, identified as Ward, explained he was at the school to inquire about employment. Ward reportedly told the witness his use of the cell phone had caused him to strike the curb repeatedly.
Responding deputies, including Lieutenant G. Hollinger and Deputy J. Norton, located the vehicles less than 1,000 feet from Beach Elementary School. Upon initial contact with Ward, deputies immediately observed drug paraphernalia—a glass pipe with visible burn marks consistent with crack cocaine use—in plain sight inside the vehicle.
Deputies instructed Ward to exit the vehicle, but he reportedly resisted by “reaching around” inside, leading officers to believe he was attempting to conceal contraband. Deputy Norton physically removed Ward from the vehicle after Ward locked his arm and refused to comply with verbal commands. Ward continued to resist arrest, prompting deputies to take him to the ground for containment.
A subsequent search of Ward’s person uncovered another identical glass smoking device and a plastic bag containing numerous alprazolam (Xanax) pills, which Ward allegedly possessed without a valid prescription. Deputies also searched Ward’s vehicle, discovering a third glass pipe, copper filtering materials typically used in crack cocaine consumption, multiple pieces of suspected crack cocaine, additional alprazolam pills, and $1,500 in cash.
The recovered alprazolam pills were marked “XANEX” and had an estimated street value of approximately $5 per pill, totaling nearly $210. Deputies assessed that the quantity of alprazolam and cash indicated intent to distribute, particularly given the proximity to the school, which significantly increases the severity of the charges under Maryland law.
Ward also admitted ownership of two cellular phones found in the vehicle, one of which he referred to as a “burner phone,” commonly associated with illegal drug transactions. Deputies seized both phones pending search warrants.
Following his arrest, Ward was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and is currently being held without bond. He faces charges including two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)—not cannabis, one count of possession of CDS paraphernalia, one felony count of possession with intent to distribute, and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute within a school zone.
Ward appeared before Judge Michelle R. Saunders for a bail review hearing on April 4, 2025, during which his hold without bond was upheld. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2, 2025, in Calvert District Court.
All seized drugs, paraphernalia, and cash have been placed into evidence at the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, with further laboratory analysis pending. The case remains active as Ward awaits court proceedings.
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Derek is a good man don’t let his down fall be what you judge him by
Yea he is a good man