Cliffton Cornelious Pickeral, 43, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, was arrested on September 26, 2025, facing multiple drug-related charges after St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s deputies discovered cocaine packaged for distribution during a routine traffic stop.
Deputies charged Pickeral with possession with intent to distribute narcotics (a felony), possession of equipment used to produce controlled substances (felony), and possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis (misdemeanor).
Deputy J. Senatore was patrolling near Old Village Road and Stasch Road after receiving a call regarding suspicious drug activity involving a female in the area. While the woman was not located, Deputy Senatore observed a black Ford Explorer with Virginia license plates pull onto Stasch Road. The driver, known to the deputy to have a suspended license, was accompanied by Pickeral, who was a passenger.
As the deputy approached, Pickeral exited the vehicle, briefly sat in the driver’s seat, then returned to the passenger side. Deputy Senatore directed Pickeral to stand at the rear of the vehicle for safety. During this time, Pickeral adjusted his pants, causing a large plastic bag containing suspected narcotics to fall to the ground.
The recovered bag contained 10 smaller baggies with cocaine and crack cocaine in various amounts:
Two baggies of about 0.5 grams cocaine
Three baggies totaling approximately 0.3 grams crack cocaine
Three baggies weighing roughly 1.7 grams crack cocaine
Two baggies containing about 1.6 grams crack cocaine
One baggie with 1.8 grams crack cocaine
A vehicle search uncovered two boxes of plastic baggies, a black cellphone, Pickeral’s wallet with ID, credit cards, and $50 in small bills. A ledger listing eight names and numbers was also found in the glove compartment. Deputy Senatore noted the small denominations of cash suggest proceeds from selling small amounts of narcotics and that the ledger likely tracked drug-related debts.
Pickeral denied ownership of the drugs during arrest, repeatedly stating, “Man, that’s not mine.”
Court records show Pickeral was previously convicted in 2016 in Charles County for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and is currently on federal probation for narcotics distribution.
At his initial court appearance the night of his arrest, Pickeral was held without bond due to the risk he poses to the community. Although he initially waived his right to counsel, he later obtained representation from the St. Mary’s County Public Defender’s Office. A bail review on September 29, 2025, upheld the decision of no bond.
Pickeral’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 9 a.m. in Leonardtown.
