SRO Weekly Incident Report At Charles County Public Schools

WALDORF, Md. – The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has released numerous reports this week detailing incidents at Charles County Public Schools.

These incidents, which occurred at several schools, include possession of weapons, assault, property damage, threats, and prohibited items like vape pens. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about these issues. See January 23 to February 1, 2024, incidents below:

Weapon on school grounds: On January 23 at 10:35 a.m., a student at Wade Elementary School was found to be in possession of a box cutter while inside a classroom. A school administrator recovered the box cutter and the student will face disciplinary consequences from the CCPS. In accordance with MD law, the student will not be charged due to their age. Parents are urged to talk with their students about the consequences of bringing prohibited items on school grounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact PFC Joffe at 301-609-6282 ext. 0608. 

SRO and school administrator assaulted, property damaged during altercation: On January 23 at 11:51 a.m., two students at St. Charles High School were involved in a dispute. School administrators and a school resource officer were attempting to keep the students separated when one of the involved students attempted to push through them to get to the other student. While doing so, the student pushed against the SRO and administrator, and had to be restrained. During the incident, the student damaged equipment worn by the school resource officer. One student was charged with assault and destruction of property. The student also faces disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. Anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. Plunkett at 301-609-3282 ext. 0469.

School resource officer investigating threat at Piccowaxen Middle School: On January 30 at 8:45 a.m., a school administrator at Piccowaxen Middle School reported to the school resource officer that a student made a statement they placed C4 – an explosive – around the school. The SRO initiated an investigation, searched the school, and contacted the student’s parents. No explosives were located. The student faces disciplinary consequences. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Caballero at 301-609-3282 ext. 0573. The investigation is ongoing.

School resource officer investigating altercation involving multiple people: On January 30 at 10:32 a.m., six people were involved in a fight inside Thomas Stone High School. All of the suspects fled prior to the SRO’s arrival; however some of them have since been identified. At least two of the people are currently students at Thomas Stone High School. The SRO is working with the Charles County Public Schools Director of School Safety and Security and CCPS administrators to determine the school status of the other suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact PFC Payne at 301-609-3282 ext. 0452. The students face criminal charges and disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. The investigation is ongoing. 

Student at Barnhart Elementary School in possession of knife: OnJanuary 3 at 11 a.m., a student at Barnhart Elementary School was found to be in possession of a butterfly knife. The student indicated they found the knife and brought it to school to show friends. In accordance with MD state law, the student will not be charged due to their age. The student faces disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact PFC Joffe at 301-609-3282 ext. 0608.  

SRO investigating a threat of violence at Piccowaxen Middle School: On January 31 at 11:30 a.m., a student at Piccowaxen Middle School made a threat of violence while in the cafeteria during lunchtime. The SRO initiated an investigation, contacted the student’s parents, and made a home visit. The student will not be charged criminally; however, they do face disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Caballero at 301-609-3282 ext. 0573.

Vape pens containing possible THC recovered from students at John Hanson Middle School: OnJanuary 31, at 11:30 a.m., two students at John Hanson Middle School were found to be in possession of vape pens containing possible THC. The school resource officer recovered the vape pens and initiated an investigation. The students were issued juvenile civil citations and released to their parents. They will also face school disciplinary action. Parents are urged to talk with their students about the dangers of consuming or inhaling products containing unknown substances. Anyone with information about this case is asked to callPFC Hancock at 301-609-3282 ext. 0499. 

School resource officer investigating altercation at La Plata High School: On February 1 at 2:15 p.m., three students at La Plata High School were engaged in an altercation. The school resource officer and school administrators were able to separate the students. Two of the students were treated for what appeared to be minor injuries. All of the students were released to their parents. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact M/Cpl. Burger at 301-609-3282 ext. 0475. The students face disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. The investigation is ongoing.

Suspected cannabis recovered from student at North Point High School: On February 1, a school administrator at North Point High School found suspected cannabis on a student. The school resource officer was contacted and he recovered the cannabis. In accordance with MD law, the student was charged with a civil citation for possession of cannabis. The student also faces disciplinary consequences from the Charles County Public Schools. Parents are urged to speak with their students about the dangers of consuming or inhaling substances that could contain unknown, dangerous elements. Anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. Cook at 301-609-3282 ext. 0580. 

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