SOLOMONS, Md. — Three Southern Maryland residents are facing felony theft and forgery-related charges after a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office investigation allegedly uncovered multiple vehicles reported stolen, altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and fraudulent registration documents during an investigation spanning Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties.
Terrance Aaron Thomas, 40, of Lexington Park; LeTroy Shaun Kent, 38, of Lusby; and Portia Chantel Brown, 38, of Lexington Park, were each charged following the July 2 investigation. Thomas and Kent each face multiple felony theft and forgery charges, while Brown is charged with possession of a forged private document.
According to charging documents, the investigation began at approximately 8:49 a.m. July 2, 2026, when Sgt. Kelly conducted a traffic stop on a blue 2022 Acura TLX traveling on Solomons Island Road at Creston Lane in Solomons. Deputies alleged the Virginia temporary registration displayed on the vehicle did not belong to it, and a preliminary check revealed the VIN displayed on the dashboard was invalid.
Investigators located a concealed secondary VIN, which they alleged identified the Acura as a vehicle reported stolen in New York. Brown, who was driving the vehicle, was taken into custody after detectives determined the vehicle’s true identity. Court documents state she was transported to CalvertHealth Medical Center following her arrest before being interviewed at the sheriff’s office.
Brown reportedly told detectives she purchased the Acura for approximately $14,000 and did not know it had been reported stolen. She also told investigators Thomas had handled all communications related to the purchase, according to the charging documents.
The investigation then shifted to Thomas, whom detectives said had previously been observed driving a black Jeep Gladiator displaying Virginia temporary registration. Investigators alleged the VIN displayed on the Jeep had been altered, and a concealed secondary VIN identified it as a vehicle reported stolen from Gaithersburg on Jan. 16, 2026.
After Thomas was stopped while driving a different vehicle, he was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives. According to charging documents, Thomas allegedly told investigators he obtained vehicles from Kent, who supplied them with registration paperwork and titles. He also allegedly admitted acting as a “middleman” in other vehicle transactions to make money but denied stealing any vehicles himself.
While Thomas was being interviewed, detectives conducted a separate traffic stop on Kent, who was driving a 2020 Ram 2500 displaying Pennsylvania registration. Investigators alleged the VIN listed on the paperwork produced no valid records, and a concealed secondary VIN identified the truck as a vehicle reported stolen from Riverdale.
According to charging documents, Kent allegedly told investigators he had been providing vehicles to others after being told the previous owners no longer wanted them. Detectives alleged Kent acknowledged he believed many of the vehicles were “probably stolen” because of the unusually low purchase prices. Kent reportedly told investigators he obtained the vehicles from a man with whom he communicated through Telegram.
Based on information developed during the investigation, Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Carmean authorized search warrants for residences in Lexington Park, Lusby and Callaway.
During the searches, detectives reported locating another vehicle — a 2024 Honda Civic — with altered VINs parked behind a residence in Lusby. According to investigators, a concealed secondary VIN identified the Honda as a vehicle reported stolen from Hyattsville. Detectives also recovered multiple allegedly stolen registration plates, including two Maryland registration plates and one New York registration plate. Court documents state additional evidence was seized and the investigation remains ongoing.
Thomas was charged with two counts of theft valued between $25,000 and $100,000, two forgery-related offenses involving private and public documents, and possession of a forged vehicle title. Kent was charged with two counts of theft valued between $25,000 and $100,000, two counts of possession of forged private documents and one count of forgery involving a public document. Brown was charged with one count of possession of a forged private document.
Thomas posted a $5,000 corporate bond after initially being held in default. Kent was released following a bail review, and Brown was released on her own recognizance. All three are scheduled to appear for trial Aug. 5, 2026, at the Calvert District Court.
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