MEDIA RELEASE:
On September 22, 2021, at approximately 4:40 PM, Deputies from the Washington County Traffic Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the area of South Cleveland Avenue/East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, for a registration violation.
During the course of the traffic stop investigation, Deputies detected the odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle, and a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. The driver was identified as Nicholas Laurence Silverman, 19, of Hagerstown and the passenger was identified as Blaine Campbell Cook, 19, of Hagerstown.
The driver, Nicholas Silverman, was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband and was found to be prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm due to his age. Deputies located approximately 14 grams of suspected raw marijuana within the Jeep as well as 607 THC vape cartridges along with packaging materials for distribution and $1,178.00 U.S. currency.
Nicholas Silverman was arrested and charged with CDS Possession with intent to distribute, CDS possession of Marijuana +10 grams, Conspiracy-CDS Possession with intent to distribute, Loaded handgun on person, Handgun on person, Loaded handgun in a vehicle, Handgun in a Vehicle, Possession of a firearm/minor, CDS Distribution with a firearm, Firearm used in a drug trafficking crime and various other traffic charges. Silverman is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center without bond.
The passenger Blaine Cook was arrested and charged with CDS Possession with intent to distribute, CDS possession of Marijuana +10 grams, Conspiracy-CDS Possession with intent to distribute. Cook was released on his own recognizance.
