MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A Mechanicsville woman is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after allegedly providing false identification during a traffic stop and later admitting to having suspected cocaine in her purse.
According to charging documents, Deputy J. Senatore of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was conducting traffic enforcement on southbound Three Notch Road near Point Lookout Road on April 24 when he observed a gold Honda Odyssey fail to stop at a posted sign. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle came to a stop in the area of Old Rolling Road in California.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Senatore made contact with a female passenger who initially provided a false name and date of birth that yielded no results in law enforcement databases. When asked to confirm her identity again, the passenger repeated the same false information.
Suspicious of deception, Deputy Senatore removed the woman from the vehicle for further questioning. Once separated from the driver, the woman admitted to having an active bench warrant and stated she preferred to “take care of it later.” She then identified herself as Britany Ann Moody, 37, of Mechanicsville.
A wanted check confirmed Moody’s outstanding warrant, and she was placed under arrest.
While being taken into custody, Moody requested that her purse be transported with her to the detention center. Officers informed her that the purse would have to be searched first. Moody acknowledged the warning and admitted she was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance inside the purse.
A search of the purse revealed a glass smoking device, a metal smoking device with white powdery residue, and additional suspected cocaine. Based on Deputy Senatore’s training and experience, the items were identified as drug paraphernalia and suspected cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Moody is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not cannabis, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and fraud—personal identity to avoid prosecution. All charges are misdemeanors.
She appeared for a bond hearing on April 25 before Judge Sally C. Chester, who released her on her own recognizance. A trial is scheduled for June 9 in St. Mary’s District Court.
Moody is represented by the St. Mary’s County Public Defender’s Office. The case remains open pending further proceedings.
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