Expired Tags, Suspended License And A Hidden Knife: North Carolina Man Charged In Calvert

DUNKIRK, Md. — A North Carolina man is facing a concealed dangerous weapon charge after Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies alleged they found a large fixed-blade knife concealed beside the driver’s seat during a traffic stop in Dunkirk that began with an expired registration and a suspended driver’s license, according to court documents.

Bobby Daniel Cooper II, 50, of Stem, North Carolina, was charged in the District Court for Calvert County with carrying a concealed dangerous weapon following his July 18, 2026, arrest. Court records show Cooper was released after posting a $1,500 unsecured personal bond later that day.

According to the statement of probable cause, a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting a patrol check at approximately 11:35 p.m. on July 17 at the BP gas station located at 2975 W. Chesapeake Beach Road in Dunkirk when he observed a gray Honda Civic with North Carolina registration parked in front of the nearby Lyons Creek Shopping Center rather than at a fuel pump.

A registration check allegedly revealed the North Carolina registration had expired in January 2022. The deputy reported watching the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes before observing a man exit the vehicle, briefly enter the BP convenience store, and return to the driver’s seat.

After the vehicle left the parking lot, the deputy initiated a traffic stop for the expired registration. According to charging documents, Cooper was identified as the driver and the passenger as the registered owner of the vehicle. Cooper allegedly told the deputy he did not have his physical North Carolina driver’s license with him and instead displayed a photograph of it on his cellphone. He also reportedly admitted his North Carolina driver’s license was suspended because of unpaid tolls.

During the encounter, the deputy reported Cooper’s eyes appeared bloodshot and unusually wide open. Cooper and the passenger told investigators they were traveling from North Carolina to Chesapeake Beach to help Cooper’s mother move out of her residence and planned to return home the following day. The deputy noted he did not observe any luggage or personal belongings consistent with two people traveling from North Carolina.

According to court documents, the deputy also observed the vehicle contained a large amount of trash throughout the passenger compartment. Investigators alleged the passenger avoided eye contact and repeatedly looked toward the floorboard while Cooper denied possessing firearms, narcotics or other illegal items.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, the deputy requested a K-9 unit to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle. Before the K-9 arrived, however, the registered owner voluntarily consented to a search of the vehicle, according to the charging documents.

During the search, deputies alleged they discovered a large silver fixed-blade knife concealed between the driver’s seat and the center console. Investigators reported the knife measured approximately 12 inches in overall length with a blade measuring between 7 and 10 inches. According to court documents, the knife was not visible during the deputy’s initial contact with Cooper but was readily accessible from the driver’s seat.

Deputies arrested Cooper without incident on the concealed dangerous weapon charge. A continued search of the vehicle reportedly did not uncover any additional contraband, and the passenger was released from the scene. Cooper was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, where he also was charged with driving while suspended on an out-of-state license. The traffic citation is separate from the criminal court case.

He is scheduled to appear for a trial-officer scheduling hearing on Sept. 21, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.

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