Florida Man Arrested on Handgun Charges in Talbot Co.

TRAPPE, Md. – The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Florida man on gun charges following a traffic stop on Tuesday.

Deputies arrested 36-year-old Fredrick Mertil of Margate on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and related gun crimes. According to court documents obtained by WMDT, he has since been released on his own recognizance after posting a $1,500 unsecured personal bond.

On May 19, deputies stopped a motor vehicle on Ocean Gateway near Bolingbrook Lane in Trappe. Deputies say they developed probable cause to search the vehicle with the assistance of a Dorchester County K9 Unit, leading them to locate a loaded handgun in the possession of a passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Mertil. He was taken into custody and transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing and an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.