Leonardtown, MD- On Wednesday, August 9 Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, along with St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron, St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Richard Fritz, Maryland State Police Col. William Palozzi and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Sweeny announced eight indictments against suspected drug dealers in connection with deadly overdoses in St. Mary’s County.

So far this year in St. Mary’s County there have been 14 deadly overdoses, including the county’s first two deaths linked to the powerful opioid Carfentanil. Each of the suspected drug dealers is now facing charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and additional distribution and possession charges.

The eight people charged are Christina Granados McCauley, 58 of Leonardtown, Tyriese Divron Nelson, 24 of Lexington Park, Geoffrey Uhall, 30 of California, Mark Steven Garner II, 28 of Dowell, Regina Malvalee Claggett-Brown, 47 of Great Mills, Latece Cantelle Greer, 28 of Great Mills, Marcell Davon Blackiston, 32 of Lusby, and Desmond Lamar Sloan, 31 of Norfolk.

Sheriff Cameron said investigators are now treating every deadly overdose as a homicide. “Drug dealers know they have to use protection; surgical gloves, sleeves, masks, eye protection, because they know the potential for Fentanyl and Carfentanil is to kill them so they’re knowingly preparing a substance they’re going to sell to users and they know the outcome.”

Col. Palozzi said today’s announcement illustrates how law enforcement agencies across the state are cooperating to battle the opioid epidemic. He also said there is increased focus on cross-county distribution sales.

State’s Attorney Richard Fritz is seeking to prosecute these individuals because they knowingly sold dangerous drugs to make money. “The one thing drug dealers do not want to do is to distribute drugs to someone in St. Mary’s County. If that person dies, they will be prosecuted for homicide.”

Some of these individuals have lengthy criminal histories, including a number of distribution charges. TheBayNet.com asked Fritz why he is coming down so hard on these dealers now, when in the past, many of them received suspended sentences for their crimes. “Before, it was primary prescribed opioids. Now we’re seeing more Fentanyl, Carfentanil and heroin. At some point you have to say enough is enough, we’re not going to tolerate it any longer.”

These indictments are a small victory for Governor Hogan. In March, he was the first governor in the United States to issue a state of emergency in the opioid epidemic. “Last year in Maryland, more people died from Fentanyl overdoses than traffic accidents and shootings combined.”

The governor went on to say, his state of emergency includes a “three-pronged” approach to stopping the opioid crisis: prevention, treatment and law enforcement. “We must crack down on these criminals who are selling these deadly drugs for their own financial gain.”

If the suspects are convicted, they’re facing 50 years in prison. “I hope these indictments serve as an example. Tough prosecution is what we need in this fight,” Hogan stated.

TheBayNet.com spoke with two families who lost loved ones from a deadly drug overdose. Loretta Foster, from Charles County, lost her nephew, Jonathan Elkins, in June. “Jonathan was the most wonderful heart. He had two children he loved dearly. He would give his shirt off his back for anyone.”

John Darling, from St. Leonard, also buried his son, Bryce, in June. Darling said he was surprised to learn the State’s Attorney was pursing second degree murder charges. “I’m very happy. It’s not going to bring my son back but maybe it will save someone else’s life.”

Governor Hogan said he hopes his presence at this press conference will send a signal to the rest of Maryland. “What they are doing in St. Mary’s County is what we need to do across the state.”

Contact Joy Shrum at

j.shrum@thebaynet.com