St. Leonard, MD – A Calvert County man is facing possession with intent to distribute marijuana charges after he was stopped for speeding. The apprehension occurred Jan. 20 shortly after 6 p.m. on Route 2/4 south of Ball Road in St. Leonard.
The suspect, identified as Matthew Mason Lane Truitt, 23 of St. Leonard, was charged with controlled dangerous substance (CDS) possession of marijuana, CDS possession with intent to distribute and driving a vehicle on a highway at a speed exceeding the limit. Truitt faces six years in jail and fines totaling $16,090 if found guilty on all charges.
According to documents on file in District Court, Master Trooper M.W. Gill of the Maryland State Police (MSP) was conducting speed enforcement from a marked MSP vehicle. “I observed a vehicle that appeared to be exceeding the posted speed limit of 55 mph,” Gill stated in court documents. “I activated my Pro Laser III and obtained a speed of 68 mph.”
After stopping Truitt’s Chrysler 300, Gill stated he detected “the odor of fresh, raw marijuana” coming from inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a plastic bag containing over 24 grams of suspected marijuana and over $700 cash.
During an interview at the MSP Barrack in Prince Frederick, “Truitt stated friends contract him to purchase marijuana from him on numerous occasions,” said Gill in court documents.
Police also seized Truitt’s cell phone. He was released the following day.
Truitt has a hearing on the charges tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. in District Court.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
