Leonardtown Woman Held Without Bond After Suspected Crack Cocaine Found During Arrest

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A Leonardtown woman is being held without bond after authorities reported that she resisted arrest on outstanding warrants and later had suspected crack cocaine found during the booking process at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Sara Elizabeth Dyson, 44, of Leonardtown, is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting or interfering with arrest, according to court and charging documents.

The incident happened May 12, 2026, in the area of 21630 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. A deputy was operating a marked patrol vehicle when he observed Dyson sitting on a set of stairs beside a listed residence and knew she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

The deputy wrote that he contacted Dyson and ordered her to stand at the front of the marked patrol vehicle due to the active warrant. Dyson allegedly ignored multiple commands, walked away toward the rear of the business and moved toward a wooded area, according to charging documents.

The report states the deputy continued giving commands for Dyson to stop walking away, but she did not comply and eventually had to be physically stopped from continuing farther. Dyson was then told to place her hands behind her back, but repeatedly pulled her hands away while officers attempted to place her in handcuffs, according to the report.

Dyson was ultimately secured in handcuffs after another officer arrived to assist, according to the statement of probable cause.

A search incident to arrest reportedly led to the discovery of a glass smoking device with burnt residue suspected to be crack cocaine. The smoking device was located in a black Etchiel-style chest bag being worn by Dyson, according to the report.

While Dyson was being transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, she allegedly advised authorities that she had additional controlled dangerous substances concealed on her person, according to charging documents. During the intake process, court documents state Dyson was searched by a correctional officer, who recovered three clear tied-off plastic baggies from the right side of Dyson’s bra.

The baggies contained a white, rock-like substance suspected to be crack cocaine, according to the statement of probable cause. The deputy wrote that cocaine is a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and is illegal to possess.

Dyson was charged in St. Mary’s District Court. Court records show bail was set on May 13, 2026, and Dyson was ordered held without bond. A bail review hearing was held later that day before Judge James Tanavage in St. Mary’s District Court, where Dyson remained held without bond.

Under Maryland law, possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for a first conviction. Possession of drug paraphernalia carries a maximum fine of $500, and resisting or interfering with arrest carries up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Combined, the listed charges carry up to four years in jail and up to $10,500 in fines.

A hearing is set for June 11, 2026, in St. Mary’s District Court.

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