Neglected Alligator, Emu Found At MD Home After Tenants Threatened With Gun

WALDORF, MD — A Waldorf man was arrested last week after authorities said he assaulted three tenants, threatened them with a handgun and kept several neglected animals on his property.

According to the Charles County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the 10000 block of Penjack Place shortly before 12:30 p.m. Friday for a reported assault involving a gun.

Investigators said 57-year-old Sir Leander Evans Gamble confronted three people who were renting a trailer on his property and physically assaulted them. Authorities said Gamble then retrieved a handgun from his residence, pointed it at the victims and threatened to harm them.

Officers arrested Gamble at the scene and obtained a search warrant for his home, where they recovered six handguns.

During the investigation, Charles County Animal Control officers also responded to the residence after observing multiple neglected animals on the property, including an alligator, a caiman, a snake, an emu, dogs, cats and pigs.

Animal Control is continuing to investigate the animals' welfare.

Gamble was charged with aggravated assault and is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center. The Sheriff's Office said additional charges are pending.