Ronald “Doc” Wexler

Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert man often celebrated for his aid to the area’s wild animals is on track to have the drug and animal cruelty charges he faces considered by a District Court judge. A status hearing on the state’s case against Ronald “Doc” Wexler, 68 of Lusby, was held Monday, Sept. 12 in District Court.
After a brief conference among Judge Michelle Saunders, Calvert County Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Rappaport and defense attorney Robert Bonsib, it was announced a pre-trial hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13.

In documents on file in District Court, Cpl. Michael Lathroum of the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Cpl. Michael Lathroum stated in April 2015 he was assigned to review “a 20-plus page complaint letter which had been received by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service alleging violations of state, and federal laws and regulations by a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization, identified as the Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center (OWRC) in Lusby.”

According to Lathroum, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office recommended the complaint be investigated. A search and seizure was conducted at OWRC four months later by NRP and personnel from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Court documents indicated Just over a dozen drugs—all classified as controlled dangerous substances (CDS) schedules II, III and IV—were found and seized. Lathroum also stated authorities found three wild animals being treated at OWRC. Lathroum stated two of the animals should have been euthanized. 

Wexler founded OWRC in 1990. The facility is located with the Chesapeake Ranch Estates subdivision. When he was interviewed by investigators, Wexler admitted he is not a veterinarian.

In court documents, Lathroum stated that Wexler “defends his actions by stating he has seven veterinarians on the Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center Inc.’s Board.” The officer added that “during the approximately 12 hours which investigators were on scene at [the] location we never observed a veterinarian affiliated with the OWRC on site to consult, triage, treat, assist or perform any necessary procedures on the injured wildlife. Mr. Wexler also indicated that it was not cost-effective to send every animal which they admitted to a veterinarian.”

Should Wexler request a jury trial the case would need to be transferred to Calvert County Circuit Court.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com