A routine traffic stop in St. Mary’s County on February 20, 2025, led to the arrest of two individuals, Patrick Wayne Wood II, 24, and Debra Victoria Johnson, 23, after a Maryland State Police Trooper uncovered drugs and firearms inside their vehicle.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., Trooper Eckrich stopped a gold Honda Accord traveling on Loveville Road in Mechanicsville. The vehicle had a cracked windshield, was missing a front registration plate, and the driver, later identified as Wood, was not wearing a seatbelt. When Trooper Eckrich approached the car, he noticed a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance on the front passenger floorboard. Wood voluntarily confessed, “It is cocaine,” prompting further investigation.
Upon searching the vehicle, the officer discovered a 30/30 Winchester rifle lying on the back seat and a handgun in the center console. Trooper Eckrich ordered Wood out of the vehicle, and during a pat-down, two additional baggies of cocaine were found in his sweatshirt pocket. He was arrested at 9:08 a.m. for possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS).
Johnson, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was also detained and arrested for possession of CDS, as the initial bag of cocaine was near her seat. A more thorough search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .38 caliber revolver, additional ammunition for various firearms, and a glass smoking device containing suspected cocaine. Another plastic bag of cocaine was discovered in the trunk.
Wood admitted to law enforcement that both firearms and the cocaine were his, while Johnson denied ownership of the drugs but admitted to using cocaine. A check with the Maryland Gun Center confirmed that Wood did not have a concealed carry permit or any registered firearms in his name.
Wood faces multiple charges, including three counts of CDS possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and illegal firearm possession. He also received traffic citations for failing to attach registration plates and display his driver’s license. Johnson faces two counts of CDS possession and two counts of drug paraphernalia possession.
Both suspects were taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. Wood was held without bond, while Johnson was released on her own recognizance. Their trials are set for April 10, 2025, at St. Mary’s District Court.
The investigation remains open as authorities continue to prepare for the court proceedings.
