One In Each Sock: Great Mills Man Charged After Glass Pipes Found During Traffic Stop

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A Great Mills man is facing four misdemeanor drug charges after deputies say a traffic stop in Lexington Park led to the discovery of two glass pipes concealed inside his socks.

Robert Barnes, 68, of Great Mills, was arrested Aug. 20 and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to charging documents, a St. Mary’s County sheriff’s detective sergeant stopped a black 2012 Hyundai Genesis around 2:46 p.m. near the intersection of Pegg Road and Liberty Street for an alleged window tint violation.

Barnes was identified as the driver.

A police canine conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics, according to the documents.

Deputies then searched the vehicle and both occupants.

During a search of Barnes, a deputy reportedly located two glass pipes containing suspected controlled dangerous substance residue.

The pipes were concealed inside Barnes’ socks, with one pipe in each sock.

Investigators noted that glass pipes of that type are commonly used to smoke or inhale controlled dangerous substances, including crack cocaine.

Charging documents state Barnes reported he had been cleaning out a newly obtained apartment when he found the glass pipes and intended to throw them away later.

Barnes acknowledged knowing what the items were, according to the documents.

He was taken into custody and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Court records show Barnes was initially held without bond.

At an Aug. 21 bond review, Judge David W. Densford released him on his own recognizance.

A trial is set for Oct. 6 in St. Mary’s District Court.

---