St. Mary’s Man Charged After Suspected Crack Cocaine Was Tossed From BMW During Traffic Stop

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A St. Mary’s County man was released on recognizance after deputies say a Lexington Park traffic stop led to the recovery of suspected crack cocaine thrown from a vehicle and metal knuckles found concealed inside the driver’s door.

Reginald Francis Cutchember, 57, of Lexington Park, is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, altering physical evidence in a criminal proceeding and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, according to court and charging documents.

The stop happened May 11, 2026, in the area of Midway Drive and Pegg Road in Lexington Park. A deputy was conducting traffic enforcement when he saw a silver BMW sedan traveling with one of its two headlights inoperable.

The deputy wrote that he activated emergency equipment and attempted to stop the vehicle. The BMW then allegedly made an abrupt left turn from Midway Drive onto Weeping Willow Lane, continued to the end of the street, turned left and began parking in an empty space.

While the vehicle was still moving into the space, the deputy reported seeing a clear plastic baggie tossed from the front passenger-side window.

After the BMW stopped, the deputy made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified in charging documents as Cutchember. The deputy wrote that the front passenger window was down and that Cutchember acknowledged the inoperable headlight, stating he had just attempted to attach a fuse.

Cutchember was detained, and moments later, the deputy recovered the clear plastic baggie from the ground near the vehicle. Inside, investigators reported finding a quantity of a white, rock-like substance suspected to be crack cocaine.

During a search of the BMW, the deputy reported finding a dark-colored set of metal knuckles, commonly referred to as “brass knuckles,” concealed in the front driver-side door panel. The charging document states the weapon was within Cutchember’s immediate reach and could have been accessed quickly while he was seated in the vehicle.

Cutchember was arrested after the stop and charged in St. Mary’s District Court. Court records show he was initially ordered held without bond on May 12, 2026. A bail review hearing was held May 13, 2026, before Judge James Tanavage, who released Cutchember on recognizance.

Under Maryland law, the charges carry a combined maximum penalty of up to seven years in jail and up to $11,500 in fines, based on the listed maximum penalties for the drug possession, paraphernalia, evidence-tampering and concealed dangerous weapon counts. Maryland law lists metal knuckles as a dangerous weapon.

A hearing is set for June 30, 2026, in St. Mary’s District Court.

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