Fatal fire in Preston
Investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the origin and cause of a fire that claimed the life of an individual in Caroline County. The early morning fire occurred around 1 a.m., and 911 was notified when a neighbor called for help.
The local volunteer fire departments were immediately dispatched to the 21000 block of Wood Wharf Road in Preston. The fire was controlled quickly and the estimated loss of the property is approximately $150,000.
At this time, the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division is assisting with the investigation which is standard operating procedure with any fatal fire. The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the exact cause of death and identification will be determined.
Anyone with information in reference to this fire is asked to contact to the Upper Eastern Regional Office at 410-822-7609.

Cocaine and firearms
Over the course of the last month, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Team (CAT) conducted an investigation of a 62-year-old man suspected of selling controlled dangerous substances from his residence located on the 100 Block of Delaware Avenue in Salisbury.
CAT was able to obtain a search and seizure warrant for the residence and said warrant was executed by the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (SERT) on Nov. 19. The man had been detained on a traffic stop prior to execution of the search warrant.
A complete and systematic search of the residence was conducted. Detectives located an amount of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana indicative of distribution. Detectives also located a loaded Derringer .22 caliber handgun, a loaded H&R .32 caliber revolver, a Western Field .22 caliber rifle, and various amounts of ammunition of different calibers.
A total of 35 individual bags of powder cocaine, 8 individual bags of crack cocaine, 18 individual bags of marijuana, along with packaging material, and digital scales were located in the residence. Wesley is a convicted felon therefore he is prohibited from possessing firearms. The .32 caliber handgun was later found to be stolen from a burglary that occurred in 2018 in Wicomico County.
John Wesley Davis was charged with the following offenses:
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (3 counts)
• Firearm / Drug Trafficking Crime (3 counts)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute Narcotic (2 counts)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute
• Possession Not-Marijuana
• Possession of Marijuana
• Illegal Possession of Ammunition

Handgun Violation Arrest
On Dec. 7 at approximately 12:06 a.m. deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle accident on Lewistown Road near Segars Corner Road. Deputies observed a motor vehicle off the roadway in a field being operated by a 19-year-old Queen Anne man and developed probable cause to search the vehicle and the man.
During the search of the driver, a handgun was located near his waistband. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office for additional investigation.
While secured in a holding cell, the man attempted to manipulate the locking mechanism in an attempt to escape confinement and caused minor damage to the holding area. Gabriel Amere Bell was charged with possession of a firearm, transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle, attempted escape and malicious destruction of property.
Bell was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing and an initial appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Bell was ordered held at the Talbot County Detention Center pending further action by the court.

Assault Arrest
On Dec. 8, deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 10000 block of Councell Road, Cordova for a domestic assault. Deputies made contact with Bernadette Pritchett, who advised that she was punched several times by her boyfriend, a 67-year-old Preston man.
Deputies observed injuries to Pritchett consistent with an assault and placed Johnson under arrest. William Gilmore Johnson was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing and an initial appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Johnson was ordered held at the Talbot County Detention Center pending further action by the courts.

CDS Arrest
On Dec. 8, deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office located an occupied motor vehicle at the Skipton Landing during hours the landing is closed to the public. Deputies identified the occupants as a 23-year-old Preston man and a 33-year-old Easton man.
Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle and located marijuana and cocaine. James Keaton Ferrier was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia. Ferrier was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing and an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. Ferrier was released on his personal recognizance.