LEONARDTOWN, Md. — An incarcerated man was charged after deputies say surveillance video captured a physical altercation inside the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.
Richard Steven Schmidt III, 38, was charged with second-degree assault following the May 30, 2026, incident.
According to charging documents, a St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded around 9 p.m. to the detention center on Baldridge Street in Leonardtown for a reported assault between two incarcerated individuals.
The deputy reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed a physical altercation inside D-Pod, Day Room 7, around 7:46 p.m.
Charging documents state Schmidt was seen using the day room phone while another incarcerated individual and others were standing nearby. Schmidt allegedly appeared irate, yelled at another person, then turned toward him and acted in a fighting posture.
The report states Schmidt then chest-bumped the other incarcerated individual and pushed him in the chest, leading to a fight that included pushing and several punches.
The victim told investigators Schmidt was angry and yelling in the common area before chest-bumping, pushing and attempting to strike him, according to charging documents.
A correctional officer reported seeing both people involved in a physical altercation through the glass of the pod control room and called for additional correctional personnel.
Charging documents state a section of the victim’s hair was pulled out during the altercation. No other injury was reported.
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This is a 38yr old who has likely been a problem since he was a kid. Best to grow up… unless you like living ‘on the inside’ better than the outside (shoulder shrug).