A 57-year-old Waldorf man is behind bars after Charles County deputies say a confrontation over a rental trailer turned into a gunpoint assault on Friday, July 3. When investigators searched the property, they say they not only found multiple handguns, but also a neglected menagerie of exotic and domestic animals. Animal-control officers have launched a welfare investigation, and the suspect remains in custody while detectives sort through potential additional charges.
Deputies were called on Friday at 12:26 p.m. to the 10000 block of Penjack Place in Waldorf for a reported assault involving a firearm, according to a press release from the Charles County Sheriff's Office. The release identifies the suspect as 57-year-old Sir Leander Evans Gamble and says he confronted three people renting a trailer on his property before physically assaulting them and pointing a handgun. Officers arrested Gamble at the scene and obtained a search warrant for his residence.
What deputies say
In a social media update, detectives said they executed a search warrant at Gamble’s home and recovered six handguns along with other evidence tied to the alleged assault, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. The post includes photos from the scene and notes that animal-control officers spotted several neglected animals on the property and joined the follow-up investigation.
Firearms and the search warrant
Detectives report that six handguns were seized after obtaining a warrant for Gamble’s residence and carrying out an on-site search, according to a press release from the Charles County Sheriff's Office. The agency says detectives are still conducting follow-up work and that additional charges are possible.
Exotic animals and animal-control probe
Charles County Animal Control officers say they found an alligator, a caiman, a snake, an emu, dogs, cats and pigs on the property. The animals were described as neglected and were taken into custody for evaluation, according to the sheriff’s Facebook post from the Charles County Sheriff's Office. Animal-control officials will continue investigating the animals' welfare, the post says.
Legal status and next steps
Maryland court records show a June 2 criminal filing for Sir Leander Evans Gamble in Charles County and list an address on Penjack Place, according to the Maryland Judiciary. The sheriff's office says Gamble remains in custody while detectives complete their investigation and decide whether to pursue additional charges.
