LEONARDTOWN, Md. – A domestic dispute in Mechanicsville resulted in second-degree assault and property damage charges against Charles Bernard Wathen, 48, stemming from an altercation with his live-in roommate on July 28, 2024. The case concluded in St. Mary’s District Court on December 20, 2024, with Wathen receiving probation before judgment.
Incident Overview
According to court documents, the victim reported the incident on September 4, 2024, to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The victim alleged that during a confrontation at their shared residence on New Market Turner Road, Wathen pushed him and stomped on his right foot, causing him to fall into and break a window. The victim sustained a visibly bruised toenail on his right foot, and the damage to the window was estimated at approximately $500.
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from an earlier dispute the previous evening. Investigators noted that the victim’s account and visible injuries supported the charges filed against Wathen.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Wathen was charged with second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property valued under $1,000. The second-degree assault charge is a misdemeanor under Maryland law, carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. The property destruction charge carried a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
Court records indicate Wathen pled not guilty to the charges during his trial before Judge Robert B. Riddle on December 20, 2024. The court granted Wathen probation before judgment, with the jail sentence suspended. Wathen was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation, requiring him to comply with court-ordered conditions while avoiding further legal violations.
Legal and Community Context
Probation before judgment allows first-time or non-violent offenders to avoid a permanent criminal record if they comply with the terms of their probation. However, failure to comply could lead to the reinstatement of penalties.
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