Woman Allegedly Used Deceased Mother’s License During 90 MPH Charles County Stop

LA PLATA, Md. — A Virginia woman is facing drug charges after a Maryland State Police traffic stop for allegedly driving 90 mph in a 55-mph zone led troopers to recover a glass pipe containing suspected cocaine residue, according to Charles County court documents.

Charlene Gerna Robertson, 60, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was charged in the District Court for Charles County with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the application for statement of charges, a Maryland State Police trooper was conducting radar enforcement on June 7, 2026, along Budds Creek Road near Plater Road in Charles County when he observed a white sedan traveling at what appeared to be a high rate of speed.

Using an agency-issued Stalker lidar unit, the trooper recorded the vehicle traveling 90 mph in a posted 55-mph speed zone, according to court documents.

During the stop, the driver initially identified herself using a Virginia driver’s license bearing another woman’s name and date of birth. Court documents state the license was returned by law enforcement databases as belonging to a deceased individual. When confronted, the driver allegedly admitted the license belonged to her mother and later identified herself as Charlene Gerna Robertson.

Investigators further learned Robertson’s Virginia driver’s license had previously been suspended because of violations and had since been changed to a status indicating she did not possess a valid driver’s license, according to the charging documents.

While speaking with Robertson, the trooper reported she became increasingly nervous and displayed body tremors. Investigators also observed what they described as bruxism, or involuntary teeth grinding, along with marks on her knuckles, arms, and hands that the trooper wrote, based on his training and experience as a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Drug Recognition Expert, were consistent with suspected drug use.

She also stated she had a photograph of a prior driver’s license on her cellphone.

As the investigation continued, Robertson allegedly continued reaching toward a purse on the passenger seat despite being instructed not to do so. After she exited the vehicle, investigators searched the purse for identification.

During the search, the trooper reported recovering a glass smoking device containing suspected trace amounts of cocaine, along with a used, burned metal screen commonly associated with smoking narcotics.

The seized evidence was submitted to the Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory for analysis. Court documents state laboratory testing completed on June 23, 2026, detected cocaine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, on the pipe. Investigators subsequently sought criminal charges for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A summons was issued July 26, 2026. Court records show Robertson is scheduled for a preliminary inquiry on Sept. 14, 2026, in the Charles County District Court.

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