By Brandon Martin
The Henry County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance to find 36 individuals indicted on drug distribution charges.
Following a year-long undercover drug operation, Sheriff Lane Perry said that his deputies have already arrested half of the 79 people named on 176 felony charges of drug distribution by grand jurors in Henry County.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt, but rather a grand jury’s determination that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial.
The indictments were sealed shortly after they were handed down last week. They were unsealed late Monday, Nov. 23.
At a press conference Monday, Perry said 43 of the 79 individuals named in the indictments had been arrested. “Usually if you can reach the half-way mark quickly, that’s pretty good.”
He added authorities will be arresting the remainder over the next few weeks, but for that to happen, Perry said the community must take an active role.
“People tell us that they don’t want to get involved. They think if they tell us information that it makes it back (to them) but it doesn’t,” he said. “We very much work on anonymity and we want a good working relationship with the community.”
Effective policing only comes from a holistic approach, he said.
“The community is the eyes and ears of what is going on because they see and hear things that we will never get and we are working blind if they don’t have a good relationship with us,” Perry said. “We want that trust (and) we want the information sharing. We all need to start taking a stand for what is important.”
The Henry County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) helped with the investigation, Perry said.
“I’m nearing the 30-year mark in law enforcement and I want to say that over my time, I’ve never seen more cooperation,” he said.
Pharmaceutical pills, along with quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, were seized during the operation. Assets connected to the distribution and trafficking of narcotics were also seized, including vehicles and U.S. currency.
“As far as the currency and the vehicles, it’s probably not one of our more large-scale” seizures, Perry said. “These assets are used to help us with further equipment to help catch people, protect the officers and things like that.”
The operation came at a time of increased violence, in part related to drug activity in the area, according to Perry.
“When you talk about drugs in our area, and everywhere, there’s death that comes from it,” he said. “There’s abuse of children, there’s the effects of mental illness that comes from it, the stealing, the violence. Everywhere, we are seeing an uptick in violence. Everywhere, we are seeing an uptick in suicides and certainly drug dependency, drug-selling and drug use does not help anything that is going on in our community.”
Based on his experience, Perry said that he expects the drugs are being trafficked across the southern border of the United States.
“There are a substantial amount of drugs that come in from the southern border from Mexico,” he said. “When people are buying from some of these people, they are selling multiple kilos in one sell. I’m talking half a dozen and a dozen kilos in one transaction. So, you’re talking about a pretty substantial amount of drugs that are going through cartels.”
Many named in the indictments are repeat offenders, Perry said, and added “this is at least the second time that they have been caught.”
“There is generally a First Offender Program. I think the court system has been very generous to acknowledge people that have made a mistake” and give lenient sentences “for this to not be a completely life-altering and life-devastating blow from the justice system,” he added. “This shows that people are not hearing that message from the court.”
After subsequent offenses, Perry said there are “more severe penalties that will be handed out this time.”
Even with the ongoing pandemic, Perry said his office felt that they needed to act swiftly.
“Some would make the argument that to do it at this time may not have been the most opportune time, but when we are having violent acts, when we are having deaths and things like that then we have to move forward to make the community safe.”
The drug operation came about a week after Gov. Ralph Northam announced that he would be pursuing the legalization of marijuana in the upcoming General Assembly session.
“What is done by legislative acts, we follow the law,” Perry said. “I don’t agree with it. I personally do not think that is a positive. But what is handed down by the state, we will follow the laws and we will be professional.”
Perry said his personal opposition comes from underlying dangers that could be associated with marijuana.
“I think marijuana is very much a gateway drug and I think it starts people on the way to intoxicants where they are pursuing a high when that (marijuana) doesn’t fulfill an addiction anymore,” he said.
Even with legalized recreational marijuana, Perry said that he still sees a market for drug dealers.
“The other part of it is that you’ll still have people that are selling marijuana and there are instances where marijuana has been laced with other things,” Perry said. “Drug dealers are unethical and what they want are customers. There are instances where marijuana is laced with fentanyl and other products like cocaine because they want to see an addiction and they want to see customers coming for it.”
The sheriff’s office is seeking help to locate the following:
*Charles Daniel Aaron, of Cascade, one count each distribution of heroin and methamphetamine.
*Katelyn Brooke Altizer, of Martinsville, distribution of heroin.
*James Lee Athey, of Martinsville, two counts distribution of methamphetamine more than 10 grams.
*Digano Vittorio Bellano, of Martinsville, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Walter Melvin Cousins Jr., of Ridgeway, one count each distribution of cocaine–2nd offense, and possession of a firearm while distributing cocaine.
*Rhona Machell Crutchfield, of Collinsville, one count each distribution of cocaine–3rd or subsequent offense; distribution of oxycodone–3rd or subsequent offense; distribution of marijuana less than half an ounce.
*Justice Leigh Denny, of Martinsville, three counts distribution of methamphetamine.
*Clifton Paul Gilley, of Martinsville, two counts of distribution of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
*Timothy Lee Hairston, of Ridgeway, distribution of heroin.
*Steven Matthew Holt, of Bassett, three counts distribution of methamphetamine.
*John Christopher James, of Martinsville, three counts distribution of methamphetamine, two counts distribution of methamphetamine more than 10 grams, distribution of heroin, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, endanger life of a child.
*Jodie Noel Joyce, of Bassett, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Bobbi Jo Leghorn, of Fieldale, three counts endanger life of a child, distribution of imitation controlled substance, attempt to distribute cocaine.
*Elizabeth Roxanne Lewis Mickles, of Martinsville, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.
*Jessica Nichole Lewis, of Ridgeway, two counts distribution of methamphetamine.
*Edilberto Coronado Lopez Jr., of Bassett, two counts distribution of methamphetamine.
*Vergie Danita Martin, of Axton, distribution of methadone.
*Adrian Martinez-Martinez, of Martinsville, two counts distribution of heroin.
*Tiffany Danielle Matherly, of Stanleytown, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.
*Jason Todd McKinney, of Bassett, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
*Teddy Ray Nelson Jr., of Bassett, distribution of fentanyl.
*Jamie Lee Ore, of Martinsville, distribution of fentanyl.
*Julius Alphonso Adams Page III, of Martinsville, three counts of distribution of heroin–2nd offense, two counts of conspiracy to distribute heroin–2nd offense, distribution of methamphetamine–2nd offense, distribution of fentanyl–2nd offense, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine–2nd offense, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl–2nd offense, endanger life of a child.
*Shannon Danyell Poole, of Axton, two counts distribution of cocaine–2nd offense.
*Corey Gene Prillaman, of Bassett, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Nicole Renea Robinette, of Ridgeway, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Teresa Jane Spencer, of Bassett, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Lucas Aaron Stone, of Martinsville, distribution of heroin.
*Vickie Lee Stuart, of Bassett, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
*Christopher Odell Stump, of Martinsville, one count each distribution of heroin and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
*Joseph Berkley Taylor III, of Martinsville, one count each distribution of heroin–3rd or subsequent offense, conspiracy to distribute heroin–3rd or subsequent offense, distribution of fentanyl–3rd or subsequent offense, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl–3rd of subsequent offense.
*Justin Louis Thompson, of Axton, two counts of distribution of heroin–3rd or subsequent offense, distribution of cocaine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Amber Lynne Tuggle, of Ridgeway, distribution of heroin.
*Matthew Douglas Turner, of Ferrum, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Stacy Maurice Walker, of Bassett, one count each possess cocaine with intent to distribute–2nd offense and possess marijuana with intent to distribute more than half an ounce but less than five pounds.
*Torshazo Daquan Williamson, of Eden, N.C., one count each distribution of cocaine, distribution of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Those already arrested are:
*Gerald Maxwell Anthony, Blue Ridge Regional Jail, three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of heroin, possess hydrocodone and acetaminophen, possession of a firearm while distributing a schedule I or II drug.
*Ashley Kathleen Bender, Patrick County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Phillip Wayne Compton, of Martinsville, distribution of heroin.
*Will Moses Cook IV, Martinsville City Jail, two counts of distribution of cocaine–2nd or subsequent offense.
*Gary Thomas Davis, Henry County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Micheal Bruce Earnest, Henry County Jail, distribution of heroin.
*Tanya Marie Ezzyk, of Fieldale, one count each distribution of heroin and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
*Bradley Franklin Ferguson, Henry County Jail, distribution of heroin.
*Ferlandos Edward Finney, Henry County Jail, distribution of cocaine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Jamie Randolph Foley, Henry County Jail, three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
*John Robert Glen, of Bassett, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Mandre Daquan Graves, Division of Community Corrections, two counts distribution of cocaine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Michael Boyd Grim, of Collinsville, three counts distribution of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
*Sandra Ramsey Hall, Henry County Jail, distribution of oxycodone–3rd or subsequent offense.
*James Melvin Hankins Jr., of Danville, two counts of distribution of oxycodone and acetaminophen.
*Darrrell Jason David Harris, Blue Ridge Regional Jail, distribution of methamphetamine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Heavenly Jean Harris, of Fieldale, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.
*Dwayne Junior Hodges, Martinsville City Jail, distribution of heroin.
*Moses Keith Hughes, of Martinsville, three counts distribution of cocaine.
*Debora Ann Kverndal, of Martinsville, one count each distribution of imitation controlled substance and attempt to distribute methamphetamine.
*Taylor Brooke Lemons, of Collinsville, four counts endanger the life of a child.
*David Wilburn Martin, Henry County Jail, one count each distribution of heroin-3rd or subsequent offense, and conspiracy to distribute heroin–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Brandon Scott Massey, Henry County Jail, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and possess firearm while distributing methamphetamine.
*Seth Allen McAlevy, Henry County Jail, four counts endanger the life of a child, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of heroin, possess firearm while distributing methamphetamine, possess firearm while distributing heroin.
*Larry Derand McLaughlin, Henry County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Brandon Lee Moxley, Henry County Jail, two counts distribution of heroin.
*Bobby William Murphy, Blue Ridge Regional Jail, one count each distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine more than 10 grams.
*Lamar Tyrell Niblett, Roanoke City Jail, distribution of heroin.
*Herman Lee Royal Jr., of Martinsville, two counts distribution of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
*Terry Wayne Shelor, New River Valley Jail, distribution of cocaine.
*Riba Ranzo Shough, Danville City Jail, distribution of heroin.
*Shalina Kim Smith, Henry County Jail, distribution of oxycodone–2nd offense.
*Carlos Demontae Spencer, FCI Beckley, one count each distribution of cocaine and possess a firearm while distributing cocaine.
*Print Daniel Swanson Jr., Bristol Sheriff’s Office, three counts distribution of cocaine–3rd or subsequent offense.
*Jennifer Nicole Swinney, Henry County Jail, one count each distribution of imitation controlled substance, and attempt to distribute heroin.
*Brian Curtis Toler, Henry County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Heather Marie Toufas, Henry County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Amber Danielle Vanzandt, of Franklin County, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Brent Douglas Wagoner, Henry County Jail, two counts distribution of heroin, two counts distribution of oxycodone, distribution of buprenorphine and naloxone.
*Vanessa Lee Warren, of Martinsville, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Travis Eugene Whitehead, Franklin County Jail, distribution of methamphetamine.
*Christopher Brian Wright Jr., of Fieldale, two counts distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, imitation controlled substance, and attempt to distribute heroin.
*Amanda Kay Young, Patrick County Jail, two counts distribution of heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin.
