On Thursday, May 16, 2024, deputies from the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division were conducting proactive traffic enforcement near FDR Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard in California, MD. During this operation, they observed a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Shawn Maurice Dickens, 41, of Great Mills, who was known to the officers and confirmed to have a suspended Maryland driver’s license due to unpaid child support.

As the Tahoe approached the intersection of FDR Boulevard and Buck Hewitt Road, deputies saw Dickens throw an object from the vehicle, immediately turn, park, exit, and walk away. The deputies detained Dickens and searched the area, recovering suspected drug-related paraphernalia. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed additional suspected paraphernalia and suspected cocaine.

Dickens was arrested and charged with CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia and transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.