MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A local man faces a litany of violent charges stemming from a domestic incident that began with a weekend visit and ended with his indictment on multiple assault- and threat-related offenses.
Court records reveal that 40-year-old Jonathan Mark Wood of California, MD was indicted by a St. Mary’s County grand jury on charges including first- and second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, threats of arson and stalking.
The charges arise from an April 13, 2025, incident in which deputies were called to a residence in Mechanicsville. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with visible injuries, including scratches and redness on her arms, chest and neck. She told investigators that Wood, her ex-boyfriend, had refused to leave her home after arriving the day before and began threatening her and her children.
The victim stated that after a verbal dispute, Wood allegedly threw her onto the bed and began choking her. When she fought him off and attempted to flee, he allegedly tore her shirt and later struck her in the face, causing her to fall into the kitchen table and loosen a tooth.
She further alleged that Wood threatened to burn her house down with everyone inside. According to the statement of probable cause, the defendant was not permitted to possess a firearm but was believed to have had one with him during the altercation.
The victim also presented authorities with videos recorded on April 5, 2025, allegedly showing Wood outside her bedroom window in the early morning hours, shouting threats. In the footage, Wood can reportedly be heard saying, “I will beat his [expletive] brains in the back of his [expletive] skull. And you know God damn well I’m capable of it.”
Prosecutors have charged Wood with first-degree assault, punishable by up to 25 years in prison; second-degree assault, with a maximum sentence of 10 years; malicious destruction of property under $1,000, carrying up to 60 days’ incarceration; arson/threat to property, which holds a 10-year maximum; and stalking, which is punishable by up to five years.
The case was originally filed in District Court before being forwarded to Circuit Court. Wood was arrested July 17 and ordered held without bond during a bail review before Judge Robert B. Riddle. Judge Amy Lorenzini is scheduled to preside over jury trial proceedings beginning Sept. 22.
Assistant State’s Attorney Zachary Varda is prosecuting the case.
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The post Man Indicted On Accusations Of Arson Threat, Strangulation, And Stalking In St. Mary’s County appeared first on The BayNet.
