PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — A man is facing a disorderly conduct charge after Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies alleged he repeatedly walked into traffic on Main Street, forcing vehicles to stop and slow to avoid striking him, according to court documents.
Joseph Rollins Jefferson, 37, was charged in the District Court for Calvert County with one count of disorderly conduct.
According to the statement of probable cause, a deputy was conducting proactive patrol in the Prince Frederick area about 11:58 a.m. July 26 when he observed a man standing on the sidewalk near 476 Main St.
The deputy reported the man, later identified as Jefferson, entered the roadway in front of approaching traffic.
According to the charging documents, Jefferson positioned himself in the southbound travel lane of Main Street, causing the deputy to stop his marked patrol vehicle to avoid striking him.
As the deputy came to a stop, Jefferson allegedly moved out of the roadway and onto the shoulder.
The deputy rolled down his window to speak with Jefferson, who allegedly asked why the deputy kept driving up and down the same roadway.
The deputy explained he was conducting proactive patrol in the area.
The deputy reported Jefferson crossed the roadway at a location where no crosswalk was present.
After exiting his patrol vehicle to continue the conversation, the deputy identified the man as Joseph Rollins Jefferson.
According to the probable cause statement, the deputy informed Jefferson that he had nearly been struck by the patrol vehicle and explained that pedestrians are required to yield to approaching traffic when crossing outside a marked crosswalk.
Jefferson allegedly acknowledged the deputy’s statement and replied that he had been about 120 feet away from the vehicle when he entered the roadway.
Charging documents state that about 20 minutes earlier, at 11:38 a.m., the Calvert County Control Center received a 911 call from a person who identified himself as Joseph.
The caller reportedly requested to speak with a specific sergeant.
According to the report, the sergeant ultimately canceled deputies who had initially been assigned to respond because he was already in the area and due to the nature of the request.
While responding, deputies observed Jefferson crossing Main Street and stopping in the roadway in front of approaching vehicles.
Investigators alleged Jefferson’s actions caused motorists traveling on Main Street to stop or slow to avoid striking him, creating a disturbance to the public.
In addition to the criminal disorderly conduct charge, the deputy issued Jefferson citations for failing to use a crosswalk, failing to yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk and unsafely crossing in front of a vehicle.
Court records show Jefferson was released on his own recognizance later that day, July 26.
A hearing is set for Sept. 9, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.
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It seems like he had enough time to cross so i think he did yield. The cop should not have been back and forth that is not how they patrol anywhere else in the county. I read a citizen is crossing the street…take drivers ed officer pedestrians always have the right away. If you can not stop or slow down that means you are driving to fast or not paying attention.