LA PLATA, Md. — A Virginia man was charged with firearm, DUI and traffic offenses after a La Plata police officer reported stopping a speeding vehicle on Crain Highway and later finding a stolen handgun inside the vehicle, according to court documents.
Marque Desean Gilmer, 38, of Suffolk, Virginia, is charged with illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen regulated firearm, loaded handgun in a vehicle, handgun in a vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, reckless driving, negligent driving, speeding, driving in excess of reasonable and prudent speed, and failure to reduce speed in dangerous weather or highway conditions.
The charges stem from a traffic stop that began around 1:01 a.m. May 23, 2026, on Crain Highway near Catalpa Drive in La Plata.
The officer reported operating a stationary radar assignment in the median of Crain Highway and Catalpa Drive when a silver Honda Civic traveled northbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle registered at 89 mph in a posted 55 mph zone, according to charging documents.
The officer initiated a traffic stop near Fairgrounds Road. Upon making contact with the driver, later identified as Gilmer, the officer reported slow movements and slurred speech.
According to the charging document, Gilmer stated he was coming from a party and had handled a firearm at a funeral. The officer also reported seeing multiple burnt blunts in the vehicle’s center console and an Apple Crown Royal bottle on the passenger-side floorboard.
A Charles County sheriff’s deputy arrived and spoke with Gilmer during the stop. The deputy also reported believing Gilmer was under the influence, according to the charging document.
Gilmer initially agreed to standardized field sobriety tests, according to the report. Court documents state the horizontal gaze nystagmus test produced four out of six clues, while the walk-and-turn test was not completed. The one-leg stand test produced three out of four clues.
The officer reported the tests were completed on the shoulder of the road, which was clear of debris but wet because of rain before the traffic stop.
Based on the observations and field sobriety test results, Gilmer was arrested for driving under the influence, according to charging documents.
A recording of the DR-15 advice of rights was played in English, and Gilmer was provided a copy while listening to the audio, according to court documents. After the recording finished, investigators reported that Gilmer refused to submit to a breath test.
During a search of the vehicle, an officer located a gray cross-draw bag on the front passenger floorboard, according to the statement of probable cause. Inside the bag, police found a loaded Taurus GX4XL handgun.
The firearm’s serial number was run through the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center and later confirmed as stolen through the Suffolk Police Department in Virginia.
After Gilmer was transported to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for booking, the officer reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. Investigators also learned Gilmer was prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to charging documents.
A Maryland State Police corporal later confirmed through the Maryland Gun Center that Gilmer was prohibited from obtaining a firearm. The report states the disqualifying factors included convictions for a felony and a crime of violence, with the listed prior offense being two counts of first-degree burglary. The convictions were both listed as Dec. 10, 2010.
Court records show Gilmer was ordered held without bond on May 23. A bail review hearing was held May 26 before Judge Mimi Cooper in Charles District Court, where Gilmer remained held without bond.
A preliminary hearing is set for June 17, 2026, in Charles District Court.
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