Indian Head Man Charged In Charles County Drug Distribution Case After Search Warrant Finds Cocaine, Meth, Suboxone, Cash

INDIAN HEAD, Md. — An Indian Head man was charged in a Charles County drug distribution investigation after detectives executing a search warrant recovered crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, Suboxone strips, cash and packaging materials from hidden compartments and a bedroom, according to charging documents.

Jerry Carlos Bannister, 54, of Indian Head, was charged with possession of narcotics production equipment, three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis and three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

The case stems from an ongoing controlled dangerous substances investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section. Charging documents state a search warrant had been issued for Bannister, a blue 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche and his residence in Indian Head.

On June 3, 2026, members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Team, assisted by the St. Mary’s County Emergency Services Team, executed the search warrant after the residence was cleared.

During the search, detectives located multiple hidden compartments, including a safe concealed inside a wall in the basement laundry room and another hidden compartment behind a drywall panel in a bedroom closet, according to court documents.

Investigators recovered approximately 36 grams of crack cocaine, 16.9 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, 8.4 grams of methamphetamine and 14 buprenorphine and naloxone strips, commonly known as Suboxone, according to charging documents. The approximate street value of the recovered controlled dangerous substances was listed at $10,870.

Charging documents also list the recovery of $3,650 in U.S. currency, unused glassine baggies, plastic packaging material and a glass smoking device. Investigators noted the currency was separated into folds and denominations, which they described as consistent with proceeds from multiple narcotics transactions.

A field test using a TruNarc analyzer returned positive results for cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base and methamphetamine, according to court documents.

During an interview, Bannister was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to answer questions. Charging documents state he acknowledged people came to his residence throughout the day for different reasons and later told investigators he believed he was “just using a little bit.”

Investigators noted that the quantities of drugs, multiple drug types, packaging materials, hidden compartments and cash were consistent with possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances.

Court documents also state Bannister had two open criminal indictments in Charles County Circuit Court related to previous search warrants involving allegations of possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

Bannister was transported to the Charles County Detention Center. Court records show he was initially held without bond on June 4 before being released on recognizance following a June 5 bond review before Judge John P. McKenna.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 1 in Charles County District Court.

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