Tall Timbers Man Charged With Drug Distribution After Cocaine Allegedly Found In Wallet, Vehicle

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A 39-year-old Tall Timbers man is facing felony drug distribution and other charges after deputies allege he resisted arrest during a Lexington Park traffic investigation and was found with multiple individually packaged rocks of suspected cocaine.

Martell Dangelo Morgan was arrested Aug. 12 and charged with possession with intent to distribute a narcotic, possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting or interfering with an arrest.

According to charging documents, a St. Mary’s County sheriff’s corporal was conducting crime prevention around the Quik Shop on Great Mills Road when he saw Morgan exit the driver’s door of a 2008 Ford Fusion.

The corporal recognized Morgan from previous law enforcement encounters and learned through a license check that Morgan did not have a valid license to drive in Maryland, according to the documents.

The Ford later left the Quik Shop and pulled into the parking lot of Taylor Gas. Deputies said Morgan was then seen walking away from the vehicle.

When deputies told Morgan he was being stopped for a traffic violation, he allegedly turned away and attempted to continue walking.

Deputies attempted to handcuff him, but Morgan allegedly pulled his right arm away, refused to place his arm behind his back and continued resisting before officers were able to take him into custody. Investigators said Morgan repeatedly reached toward his ankle during the struggle.

A subsequent search of the Ford uncovered what the charging documents describe as a “copious amount” of small cellophane baggies in the trunk.

Deputies also located Morgan’s wallet inside the vehicle, according to the documents.

Inside the wallet, investigators allegedly found a small cellophane bag containing approximately seven smaller white rock-like substances, with each rock packaged separately in clear bags. Another tie-off bag containing an additional small white rock was also recovered, according to the charging documents.

The corporal wrote that the packaging was consistent with methods commonly associated with narcotics distribution.

Investigators also said Morgan possessed two separate cellphones. According to the charging documents, deputies did not locate smoking devices, used Brillo pads, push rods or other items they said would typically suggest personal cocaine use.

Surveillance footage was reviewed during the investigation and allegedly showed Morgan driving the vehicle into the Taylor Gas parking lot before walking away from it.

Morgan was initially ordered held without bond following his Aug. 12 arrest.

At an Aug. 13 bond review, Judge Robert B. Riddle set bond at $20,000.

A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 10 in St. Mary’s District Court.

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