HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — On Friday, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office released the names of 51 suspects who have been arrested as part of Operation “Wicked Spirits.”
Sheriff Fred S. Clark said that dozens of people have been arrested following a joint operation organized by the Halifax/South Boston Reginal Narcotic & Gang Task Force.
Of those arrested, 31 were arrested on outstanding drug charges stemming from months of investigations. Officers seized suspected methamphetamine and suspected fentanyl throughout the operation. Officers also executed search warrants during which suspected methamphetamine, suspected heroin, firearms, suppressors, and ammunition were seized. Additional charges are pending, according to the sheriff's office.
During the operation, an additional 20 suspects were arrested on non-drug-related outstanding warrants.
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Sheriff Clark said that an operation of this scale takes a lot of time, work, and participation from all agencies involved. Clark sent his thanks to all the agencies for their collaborative effort and their excellent working relationship in all ways, especially during this operation.
"We will continue to be proactive in the fight against illegal drugs that plague our community and across the state," Sheriff Clark said.
"I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Halifax/South Boston Gang and Narcotics Task Force related to slowing the spread of illegal drugs into our community," South Boston Police Chief Bryan Young said. "Our residents deserve a community free from these drugs and the negative effects of their use. Our state and local law enforcement partners do a great job of working together to accomplish that goal."
Following is a list of those arrested:
Drug Arrest:
- James Burden Jr., 36 of Halifax: 2 counts of distribution of schedule I/II (fentanyl) 3rd of a subsequent offense.
- Stephanie Powell, 36 of Halifax: distribute schedule I/II (fentanyl).
- Joshua Masterson, 28 of South Boston: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine), possession of a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine.
- James Campbell, 40 of South Boston: distribute schedule I/II (methamphetamine) 2nd offense, 2 counts of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon, possessing a firearm while distributing schedule I/II (methamphetamine), providing firearm for a felon, selling a firearm without a background check, possess a firearm by a non-violent felon and obstruction of justice.
- Jonathan Tetereau, 41 of Halifax: possession of a schedule I/II controlled substance.
- Shameka Irby, 35 of South Boston: possession of a schedule I/II (cocaine).
- Leroy Hunter Jr., 34 of Alton: 2 counts of possession of a schedule I/II and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.
- Mark Brown, 50 of Nathalie: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine) and possessing a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine.
- Michael Jeffreys, 51 of South Boston: possession of a schedule I/II (cocaine).
- Dereese Hamlett, 62 of Nathalie: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine).
- Stuart Throckmorton, 50 of Halifax: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine).
- Michael Farmer, 42 of Roanoke: 3 counts of distributing over 20 grams of schedule I/II (methamphetamine) 2nd offense.
- Robert Davis, 44 of South Boston: distribute schedule I/II (methamphetamine).
- Wesley Dawson, 48 of Alton: capias from original narcotics violation.
- Marketta Young, 29 of South Boston: capias from original narcotics violation.
- Laura Price, 36 of Alton: distribute schedule I/II (methamphetamine) over 10 grams, possess a firearm while distributing methamphetamine, and child neglect.
- Melanie Hudson, 41 of Halifax: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine).
- Christopher Newman, 35 of South Boston: possession of a schedule I/II (cocaine).
- William Price, 43 of South Boston: held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for possession of schedule I/II (methamphetamine) and felony probation violation.
- Jonathan Andrade, 37 of South Boston: possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine) and possession of ammunition by a felon.
- Cody Dawson, 31 of Nathalie: possession of a schedule I/II (heroin), possession of a schedule I/II (codeine), obtaining money by false pretense, and petit larceny.
- Timothy Robbins, 36 of Willow Spring, NC: held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for possession of a schedule I/II (methamphetamine) and possession of a schedule I/II (fentanyl).
- Williams Sellers, 37 of South Hill: distribute a schedule I/II (methamphetamine) over 20 grams.
- Tae-Ali Freeman, 23 of Halifax: distribute a schedule I/II controlled substance.
- Jessica Fallen, 31 of Halifax: capias from original narcotics violation.
- Michael Goad, 50 of Halifax: capias from original narcotics violation.
- Justin Jones, 34 of Gretna: distribution of a schedule I/II (cocaine).
- Tamara Rowland, 43 of Halifax: capias for original narcotics violation.
- Jason Anderson, 49 of Halifax: possession of schedule I/II (methamphetamine) and possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine.
- Brooke Harmon, 39 of Altavista: capias for an original narcotics violation.
- Elizabeth Mills, 40 of South Boston: 8 counts possession of a schedule I/II, possess a schedule III controlled substance, possess a schedule IV controlled substance, and drive suspended.
Additional Arrests - non-drug related warrant service:
- Chad Shotwell, 49 of Alton: felony pre-trial violation.
- Gracie Jones, 40 of Nathalie: grand larceny and capias.
- Brandy Sizemore, 42 of South Boston: felony probation violation.
- Jason McKinney, 40 of Halifax: 47 counts of violating an emergency protective order.
- Charles Keatts, 46 of South Boston: felony pre-trial violation.
- Tiearra Hill, 26 of Richmond: felony pre-trial violation.
- Jerry Blackwood Jr., of Richmond: 5 counts of violating an emergency protective order.
- Brittany Jones, 32 of Scottsburg: malicious wounding.
- Charles Rigsbee, 49 of South Boston: is held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for grand larceny and contempt of court.
- Jonathan Adams, 42 of Nathalie: drive revoked DUI related and capias.
- Leondrea Tuck, 26 of Halifax: armed burglary, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (2nd offense), felony credit card larceny, robbery with the use of a firearm, and murder – non-capital felony.
- Randy Jones, 47 of South Boston: non-violent felon in possession of a firearm.
- Rahgie Ballou, 43 of Halifax: grand larceny.
- Dallas Hayden, 27 of South Boston: felony probation violation.
- Allen Brandon, 28 of South Boston: is held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for auto theft (grand larceny), felony probation violation, and misdemeanor probation violation.
- Demetrius Ferrell, 45 of Halifax: 2 counts of probation violation, assault & battery, and giving false information to law enforcement.
- Sharon Faulkner, 54 of South Boston: capias.
- Andrew Dease, 35 of Halifax: held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for 2 counts of felony probation violation.
- Roy Puckett, 33 of Halifax: held in North Carolina awaiting extradition for felony probation violation.
- Aaron Washington, 30 of Philadelphia, PA: 3 counts of felonious assault, 3 counts of brandishing a firearm and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Agencies participating in the operation were the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic and Gang Task Force, VSP Special Agent Jay George Coordinator, Virginia State Police, South Boston Police Department, Halifax Police Department, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority, Person County NC Sheriff’s Office, Durham County NC Sheriff’s Office, E911 dispatchers, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 units. The Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic & Gang Task Force consists of members of the Virginia State Police, the South Boston Police Department, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
