Rock Candy? Clements Man Charged After Allegedly Swallowing Suspected Cocaine

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A Clements man was charged after a deputy reported he swallowed suspected cocaine during a traffic stop, swatted the deputy’s arm away and was later found with additional suspected cocaine in the vehicle.

Joseph Louis Herbert Jr., 69, of Clements, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis, possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia, second-degree assault and altering physical evidence in a criminal proceeding. Court documents also list related traffic citations, including driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance, reckless driving, negligent driving, unsafe lane changing and other traffic violations.

The charges stem from a traffic stop on July 17, 2026, in the area of Hollywood Road and Town View Court in Leonardtown.

Charging documents state a deputy observed a silver Honda Civic traveling east on Hollywood Road cross the solid double yellow line with its driver-side tires. The deputy also noted the vehicle had an expired Virginia registration plate, darker-than-legal window tint and an unauthorized window tinting material.

During the traffic stop, the operator was identified as Herbert.

The deputy reported Herbert’s pupils appeared dilated, which the deputy wrote was an indication of possible cocaine intoxication. While Herbert searched for his license, the deputy reported he appeared to overlook it and dropped documents into his lap.

At that point, the deputy reported seeing a white rock substance in the center console. Charging documents state Herbert picked up the substance, put it in his mouth and swallowed it.

The deputy reported attempting to grab the substance from Herbert’s mouth, but Herbert allegedly swatted the deputy’s arm away. Herbert was then removed from the vehicle and detained.

Herbert claimed the substance was candy, charging documents state. The deputy wrote that, based on training and experience, he did not believe the substance was candy and was able to identify it as cocaine before it was swallowed.

Due to signs of impairment, the deputy conducted standardized field sobriety tests. Charging documents state Herbert had difficulty with several portions of the testing, including balance-related tasks.

Herbert was arrested at approximately 10:06 p.m. on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He later provided a breath sample of 0.00, according to charging documents. The deputy also reported Herbert was sweating heavily while seated in the back of an air-conditioned police vehicle, which the deputy wrote was another indication of possible cocaine intoxication.

Herbert was asked to submit to further testing by a drug recognition expert but refused, charging documents state.

Before leaving the initial scene, the deputy searched Herbert’s vehicle and reported finding a clear cellophane bag between the passenger seat and center console containing a white substance.

Charging documents state the bag contained a white rock substance weighing approximately six grams, which the deputy identified as crack cocaine. The deputy also reported finding a folded lottery ticket containing two grams of a white powdered substance identified as cocaine, a folded dollar bill containing another white powdered substance identified as cocaine and three glass smoking devices containing burnt residue identified as cocaine.

Herbert was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center for processing.

He was released on an unsecured personal bond on July 18.

A trial is set for Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Mary’s County District Court.

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