Calvert Prosecutor Dropped DUI Charges against DUI-Drug Dealer Suspect Twice Before

LOTHIAN, MD. — Eric Jovon Smith charged with being a boozy-woozy drug dealer while driving wrong way on highway – must be using too much of his own dope!

Anne Arundel Police report that on March 13, 2015, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a Southern District officer was on routine patrol in the area of Solomon’s Island Road and W. Bay Front Road when the officer observed a Toyota Camry traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Solomon’s Island Road.  As a result, a traffic stop was conducted and the driver would not comply with direct orders from the officer.  The driver, identified as Eric Smith, exited the vehicle and was fumbling around his vehicle while there were two other occupants inside the vehicle. When additional officers arrived, all three suspects were taken into custody.  In plain view on the drivers floorboard was a baggie containing 15.60 grams of cocaine valued at $1,560.  All three occupants were placed under arrest and transported to Southern District.

Suspect #1: Eric Jovon Smith, 34, of 3415 Lyons Creek Road, Dunkirk, Md. The suspect was charged with DUI, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and possession of CDS: not marijuana

Suspect #2: Crystal Kay Sweeney, 33, of 3901 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown, Md. The suspect was charged with possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and possession of CDS: not marijuana

Suspect #3: Page Darnell Jones, 39, of 1385 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland, Md. The suspect was charged with possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and possession of CDS: not marijuana.

Smith has gotten off fairly easy in Calvert County on various charges including DUI and related traffic violations.

On May 19, 2011, Smith was charged by Calvert County Sheriff’s Deputy Bomgardner with DUI on Rt. 4 near Ward Road.  In court on Oct. 5, 2011, the charge was dropped even though he already had another pending DUI charge against him.

On Aug. 20, 2011 at 7:54 pm Smith was arrested for DUI by a Maryland State Trooper as he drove northbound on Rt. 4 north of Ward Road in Calvert County.  In a plea deal with the Calvert County States Attorney, the charge was dropped on Nov. 16, 2011 when he entered a guilty plea to driving on a restricted permit requirement. His penalty for this case was a fine of $37 and no jail time.

Either the Calvert County States Attorney in District Court is completely inept, failed to have witnesses appear or Smith was busy turning in his competing drug dealers to police in return for having DUI charges dropped.

The dropped charges, for whatever the reason, apparently have given him a feeling he has a “get out of jail free card” in Calvert County when it comes to drunk driving. His drug associates might be interested in realizing they may be paying the price for Smith’s DUI arrests.

The decision to drop charges and make deals with criminals is solely at the discretion of the States Attorney who answers to no one except the voters.  And in Maryland, the irresponsible behavior of many prosecutors goes unchecked by the voters who are rarely aware of the incompetence or their capricious actions in constantly sending criminals back to the streets instead of prison.

Arrested on Aug. 11, 2013 on charges of assault, indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, Smith entered a guilty plea in Calvert County District Court to indecent exposure in a deal with the States Attorney. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and all of the jail time was suspended with zero fine. He was given a probation before judgment.