Lexington Park, MD - Due to an elevated level of interest for a private event held at the Lexington Park Library on Sunday, June 23, 2019, additional personnel from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were present.

At 1:40 pm, Ashley Kyle Morgan, 42 of Leonardtown, attempted to register and check in for the “Drag Queen Story Hour” event, but had already preregistered for a drag queen makeup session to be held later at 3 pm that day. Morgan was advised by library security, the private group coordinator and Cpl. Timothy Snyder that he was not welcome into the room until 3 pm and was advised not to cause any other disturbance or he would be arrested. Sgt. Shawn Moses spoke with Morgan separately and advised Morgan that the room was privately rented under the St. Mary’s County library board’s policy and was not open to the general public and only an invited guest would be permitted to enter the room.

At 1:50 pm, Morgan ran past the check-in table outside of the room and into the private room. Upon entering, Morgan began to yell at the approximately 75 people inside, including about 25 children. Morgan was advised several times to stop by library security and Cpl. Snyder. As security personnel and Cpl. Snyder attempted to grab hold of Morgan to initiate an arrest, Morgan continued to pull away, running around the room and yelling at those in the room. Sgt. Moses and Cpl. Snyder were able to gain control of Morgan and he was again advised to stop yelling and causing a disturbance multiple times to which he failed to comply. Due to his aggression toward those in the group and noncompliance, deputies escorted Morgan out of the building through a fire-alarm door, causing a further disturbance to the library.

Morgan was arrested by DFC Carl Ball, transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown and charged with:

-Disorderly Conduct

-Disturbing the Peace/Disorderly

-Fail to Obey Reasonable/Lawful Order

-Resist/Interfere with Arrest

-Trespass Public Agency During Hours