A months-long gun theft investigation in Waldorf ended in a bedroom dresser on Friday, when Charles County deputies served a search warrant on the 3400 block of Tulip Tree Court and say they recovered a handgun reported stolen in July 2025 along with a second pistol. A 19-year-old man was arrested on weapons-related charges, and a 16-year-old male was charged on a juvenile offense report and released to a parent, officials said.
Search Warrant Recovers Stolen Gun And Second Pistol
According to a press release by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served a court-authorized warrant Friday at the Tulip Tree Court residence and recovered the handgun that had been reported stolen in July 2025, along with another pistol. Investigators said both weapons were found in a bedroom dresser during the search and that the warrant service was part of an ongoing investigation into the theft.
Adult Arrested And Facing Weapons Charges
Local court records and reporting identify the adult suspect as 19-year-old Tareil Benjamin Moffitt of Waldorf. Southern Maryland News Net reports that Moffitt faces charges including possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Investigators allege the stolen gun was transferred between the juvenile and the adult, and deputies say both firearms were seized when the warrant was executed. A judge later ordered that Moffitt could be released on electronic monitoring if he meets eligibility requirements and any court-ordered conditions.
Juvenile Handling And What That Means
The younger suspect, described as a 16-year-old male, was charged on a juvenile offense report and released to a parent in accordance with Maryland law, the sheriff’s office said. Per the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, juvenile cases go through an intake process that can lead to diversion, community-based supervision, or detention, depending on the alleged offense and the youth’s assessed risk. That framework shapes how local authorities and courts handle alleged crimes by minors while trying to balance public safety with rehabilitation.
Statewide Context On Guns And Violence
Across Maryland, officials have leaned into data-driven strategies to monitor and reduce firearm violence. The state’s Firearm Violence Data Dashboard recorded 671 firearm deaths in 2024 and is used to track trends at the county level. The dashboard and a preliminary prevention plan are part of broader efforts to understand how stolen and unlawfully possessed guns overlap with local violence patterns, particularly involving young people, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Next Steps In The Case And How To Share Tips
Moffitt’s case remains open in District Court for Charles County, and local reporting indicates a trial date has been set for April 1, 2026, according to Southern Maryland News Net. Anyone with information is directed to the sheriff’s public Facebook post, which summarizes the incident and includes Crime Solvers and tipline details for those who want to reach investigators.
