Category: crime

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 23, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 23, 2008:

On February 17, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard responded to a trespass complaint in Dawn. After investigating, Leocadio R. Velazquez, 21, of Fredericksburg and Jose A. Norega, 31, of Fredericksburg were both charged with possession of burglary tools, trespassing and grand larceny. Both were ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 20, 2008 was set for both.

On February 17, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Ashley B. Gray, 28, of Bowling Green was charged with driving under the influence. He was ordered held under a $1500 bond and a court date of March 21, 2008 was set.

On February 18, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard responded to a dispute in Rappahannock Academy. After investigating, Aaron S. Groover, 28, of no fixed address was charged with trespassing. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 20, 2008 was set.

On February 18, 2008, Deputy M. J. O’Connor responded to a disturbance in Rappahannock Academy. After investigating, Jennifer L. Groover, 23, of Rixeytown, VA was charged with malicious wounding. She was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 20, 2008 was set.

On February 19, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Dike L. Walker, 30, of Woodford was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license – 3rd offense. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 20, 2008 was set.

On February 20, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, James Brooks, Jr., 42, of Milford was charged with driving on a revoked drivers license – 3rd offense. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and court information was unavailable.

On February 22, 2008, Deputy T. P. Connolly encountered a person in the general district courtroom. Arrested for drunk in public was Kerry L. Emerson, 38, of Frog Level. He was ordered held without bond and a court date of March 21, 2008 was set.

On February 22, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, and with the assistance of Deputy S. Mullane and his canine, Madelyn A. Blue, 42, of Hanover was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance. She was released on a personal recognizance bond and an arraignment date of February 29, 2008 was set.

On February 23, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to a domestic in Woodford. After investigating, Timothy J. Spurley, 21, of Woodford was charged with domestic assault. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of Feburary 26, 2008 was set. The following morning, Deputy D. W. Mundie responded to the same residence and charged Spurley with violating a protective order. Bond and court information on this charge were unavailable.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 7 drug arrests, 7 domestic violence arrests, and 38 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 154 civil papers, issued 188 traffic summonses, handled 9 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 25 alarm calls, and dealt with 5 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 427 calls for service and handled 1,764 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 33 calls assisting outside agencies and had 225 self initiated calls.

UPDATED: Rodney Rodis to be sentenced tomorrow.

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Former priest Rodis to be sentenced today tomorrow

Poor devout family man money-stealing piece of waste.

UPDATE, 02/20/2008, 9:58 p.m.: Alright, now RT-D is saying tomorrow and The Free Lance–Star concurs.

By the way, how much time did Shelia Boone get sentenced to? She was supposed to be sentenced on February 8th but neither the Richmond Times-Dispatch nor The Free Lance–Star did a story on the sentencing that I can find.

Just pointing something out…

Something a commenter mentioned on my site: Cynthia Weaver v. Richard E. Lloyd, Record No. 0224-06-2:

Cynthia Weaver (mother) appeals an order of the trial court changing custody of the parties’ twin children to Richard Lloyd (father). She contends “the trial court erred in determining that when [mother], in good faith reported allegations made by her children that their father had sexually abused them, a material change of circumstances had occurred and [mother] had alienated the children’s affection from their father.” Upon reviewing the record and the briefs of the parties, we conclude that this appeal is without merit. Accordingly, we summarily affirm the decision of the trial court. See Rule 5A:27.

Background

Mother gave birth to twins, Katie and Kyle, on February 17, 2001. At the time, mother and father lived together. They were not then and have never been married. In May 2001, mother moved out of the shared house and moved in with her parents, where she continues to reside. In 2002, the juvenile and domestic relations district court (juvenile court) awarded mother primary physical custody of the children and visitation rights to father.

In July 2004, father filed for a change of custody of the children. By order dated October 20, 2004, the juvenile court awarded father physical custody of the children, and gave mother visitation rights. Mother appealed that decision to the trial court.

On April 28, 2005, the trial court trial conducted an ore tenus [oral] hearing. Father testified that he exercised his court-ordered visitation until February 2004, when mother unilaterally stopped bringing the children to visit with him. Father attempted to call mother several times, but she would not answer his calls. Father learned through the Sheriff’s office that mother made allegations that father had abused Katie. In May 2004, mother accused father of sexually abusing Kyle. Father stated that Katie would repeat negative things about him that mother told her. For example, father testified that Katie “would say something like, ‘my mama says that you are not very nice to me’ – talking to me – – she’ll say ‘my mama says you are mean.’ Things like that.” In October 2004, father asked mother to provide the children’s birth certificates and social security cards to him so he could enroll them in preschool. Five months and several requests later, mother provided copies of those documents.

Mother testified about the allegations she made against father for sexually abusing the children. According to mother, in February 2004, Katie “put her hands down her pants” and told mother that “my daddy tickles me and his fingernails are so hard.” Mother filed a complaint with the Sheriff. She did not contact father about the incident. Several months later, mother observed a blood blister on Kyle’s penis. According to mother, Kyle said that “daddy hurts my pee pee.” Mother contacted Kyle’s doctor, took him to the hospital, and again alleged sexual abuse by the father. Mother denied talking about father in front of or with the children.

A number of agencies investigated the two sexual abuse allegations, including St. Mary’s Hospital, Medical College of Virginia, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, the State Police Criminal Investigations Unit, and Caroline County Child Protective Services. All determined that the allegations were unfounded.

In March of 2004, mother started taking the children to Dr. Maurice Fisher, a social worker, for an evaluation regarding the allegations of sexual abuse. Following extensive interviews and discussions with the children, the parents, the police investigators, and social service agencies, Dr. Fisher informed mother that he found no evidence of sexual abuse. Moreover, Dr. Fisher was unable to find anyone involved in the case who could validate any complaints of sexual abuse by the children. Based on his conversations with the children, Dr. Fisher believed, from March until October, “there was a fair amount of conversation” in front of the children between the mother and the maternal grandmother concerning father and the allegations of sexual abuse.

After mother received Dr. Fisher’s findings, she sought a second opinion from Cassandra McClarin, a licensed clinical professional social worker. McClarin’s evaluation was based solely on discussions with mother and interviews with the children.

At the April 2005 hearing, Dr. Fisher opined that, “given the developmental age of these children,” it was not “a good idea” to have the children seen by another counselor because “it creates a set of contradictions for them in a situation where they are already struggling with trust issues anyway.” According to Dr. Fisher, the children do not need any further active counseling or therapy regarding mother’s unfounded allegations of sexual abuse, and he opined that continued discussion of the allegations could “pathologize” the children and cause a “false positive.” He found the children were more open and communicative than when they first began seeing him and indicated they were doing better because they have not been “as exposed” to the continued allegations of abuse by mother and maternal grandmother, which abuse Dr. Fisher ruled out “within a reasonable degree of clinical certainty.”

Peggy Lloyd, the children’s paternal grandmother, testified that Katie used to be withdrawn, but has been more outgoing since the juvenile court changed custody to father.

At the conclusion of the April 28, 2005 hearing, the trial court withheld ruling on custody and ordered no further testing of the children. The trial court also ordered father to undergo a psychosexual evaluation and mother to submit to a general personality evaluation.

On August 26, 2005, the trial court granted father’s petition and awarded him custody of the children. It noted that mother’s initial complaints “were unfounded” and “[t]hey were continually unfounded.” It found that mother’s “alienation was established” and that the children “appear to be thriving,” thus justifying a change in custody. The trial court also found that it was in the children’s best interests to change custody to father.

[…]

The record contains sufficient evidence of changed circumstances and that a change in custody would be in the best interests of the children. Mother is not being punished for reporting the allegations of sexual abuse. Rather, it was her unending attempt to prove allegations that were determined to be unfounded and her practice of alienating the children from father that convinced the trial court to award custody to father. Mother made two unfounded claims, months apart, that father sexually abused each child. Despite there being no evidence to support either allegation, mother persisted in questioning the findings of a number of reputable experts and agencies that are trained to investigate sexual abuse. In addition, she and the maternal grandmother routinely discussed and expressed their feelings about father in front of the children. Mother’s unending attempts to prove allegations that were determined to be unfounded and her continued comments against father in front of the children established a course of action, intended or not, that tended to alienate the children from the father.

Anyone notice a similarity here?

This is an article by Ellen Biltz that appeared in the February 1, 2008, edition of The Free Lance-Star: Spotsylvania deputy faces abuse charge in Caroline:

A Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputy has been charged in Caroline County with sexually abusing a child.

Richard E. Lloyd Jr., 38, of Dawn is charged with aggravated sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child.

Spotsylvania Sheriff Howard Smith said Lloyd is on administrative leave from the office and that the issue was a personnel matter.

Lloyd was arrested Jan. 23 on the charges and was released from Pamunkey Regional Jail on a personal recognizance bond. The child is related to Lloyd, authorities said.

Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa said Lloyd’s arrest stemmed from a call from the Department of Social Services requesting assistance.

Online court records show that Lloyd is set for a jury trial May 28 in Caroline County Circuit Court.

A special prosecutor from the Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will be trying the case.

This is an article by Toni Stinson that appeared in the February 6, 2008, edition of The Caroline Progress: Spotsylvania Deputy arrested in Caroline:

A Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputy has been charged in Caroline County with indecent liberties with a minor and aggravated sexual battery on January 23.

Lloyd is on administrative leave from the Spotsylvania sheriff’s office said a representative of the sheriff’s office and that the issue is a personnel matter.

Lloyd was arrested Jan. 23 on the charges and was released from Pamunkey Regional Jail on a personal recognizance bond. Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa said Lloyd’s arrest stemmed from a call from the Department of Social Services requesting assistance.

The incident originated as a call for service from social services. After the investigator assigned to the call completed her inquiry, direct indictments were sought and obtained from Caroline Circuit Court.

Online court records show that Lloyd is set for a jury trial May 28 in Caroline County Circuit Court.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Spencer issued an information on Lloyd which allowed law enforcement to immediately pick him up without the preliminary hearing. The information is just like an indictment, but is signed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, which allows law enforcement to move quickly.

Originally assigned to the case was the new incoming Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Diane Abato. Abato had previously represented Lloyd’s ex-wife in a custody hearing, so a special prosecutor from the Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will be trying the case. Goochland’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Claiborne Stokes has acknowledged that Nancy Oglesby will be assigned to the case.

For those out there that are dense, I’ll highlight the parts that are exactly the same, from Stinson’s story:

A Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputy has been charged in Caroline County with [first paragraph of Biltz’s story -ed.] indecent liberties with a minor and aggravated sexual battery on January 23.

Lloyd is on administrative leave from the Spotsylvania sheriff’s office said a representative of the sheriff’s office and that the issue is a personnel matter. [third paragraph -ed.]

Notice that Stinson didn’t include paragraph two of Biltz’s story which identified Lloyd’s full name and residence. That’s usually something pretty important in a story, no?

Lloyd was arrested Jan. 23 on the charges and was released from Pamunkey Regional Jail on a personal recognizance bond. [fourth paragraph -ed.] Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa said Lloyd’s arrest stemmed from a call from the Department of Social Services requesting assistance. [fifth paragraph -ed.]

The incident originated as a call for service from social services. After the investigator assigned to the call completed her inquiry, direct indictments were sought and obtained from Caroline Circuit Court.

Online court records show that Lloyd is set for a jury trial May 28 in Caroline County Circuit Court. [sixth paragraph -ed.]

Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Spencer issued an information on Lloyd which allowed law enforcement to immediately pick him up without the preliminary hearing. The information is just like an indictment, but is signed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, which allows law enforcement to move quickly.

Originally assigned to the case was the new incoming Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Diane Abato. Abato had previously represented Lloyd’s ex-wife in a custody hearing, so a special prosecutor from the Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will be trying the case. [seventh paragraph -ed.] Goochland’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Claiborne Stokes has acknowledged that Nancy Oglesby will be assigned to the case.

Notice that “sheriff’s deputy” is not capitalized in both stories, that Lippa is referred to as “Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa” in both stories, and that “Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office” is exactly the same in both stories.

Also notice that in the original mention of “January 23” that January is spelled out (first paragraph of Stinson’s story); however, in the copy and paste portion, “Jan.” is abbreviated just like in Biltz’s story (paragraph three of Stinson’s, paragraph four of Biltz’s).

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 2, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 2, 2008:

On January 23, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford, III responded to a reported disorderly person in Carmel Church. After investigating, Donnie L. Poindexter, 44, of Ruther Glen was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to a fight call in Woodford. After investigating, Ryan E. Harrie, 29, of Ruther Glen was charged with malicious wounding and possession of a controlled substance. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane was on foot patrol at a business in Carmel Church. His canine alerted to a vehicle in the parking lot. After investigating, Charles C. Rowe, 29, of Knoxville, TN was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and a court date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 27, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton responded to a domestic in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Gregory A. Hulo, 36, of Ruther Glen was charged with abduction, domestic assault, trespassing and damaging a telephone to prevent another from seeking aid. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of January 29, 2008 was set.

On January 27, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan responded to an incident in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Kevin R. Lewis, 30, of Ruther Glen was charged with assault. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 2, 2008 was set.

On January 28, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Stacey J. St. Julien, 38, of Woodford was charged with an outstanding felony warrant from Spotsylvania and with carrying a concealed weapon. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 28, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle fro a traffic infraction. After investigating, Terrance S. Mosley, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license – 4th offense. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 29, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge was notified of a potential fraud. After investigating, Clyde E. Lindsey, 67, of Woodford was charged with felony bad check. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 30, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Wesley P. Brown, II, 44, of Ruther Glen was charged with possession of marijuana 2nd offense and driving on a suspended drivers license – 3rd offense. He was ordered held under a $1000 bond and an arraignment date of February 8, 2008 was set.

February 1, 2008 Deputy D. W. Mundie stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Ronnie Thaxton, 37, of Upper Marlboro, MD was charged with D.U. I. and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test. He was held on a $2500 secure bond, and a preliminary date of trial is set for February 6, 2008.

On February 2, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Brian L. Wilson, 30, of Ruther Glen was detained on a Fail to Appear Warrant out of Spotsylvania. It was also determined that he was driving on a Suspended License.

On February 2, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton responded to a disturbance call in Ruther Glen. Upon investigating, Gregory Brown, 37, of Ruther Glen, was charged with destruction of property and being drunk in public. A preliminary date of February 6, 2008 has been set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office’ Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 4 drug arrests, 7 domestic violence arrests, 4 D.U.I arrests and 59 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 212 civil papers, issued 161 traffic summonses, handled 11 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 28 alarm calls, and dealt with 8 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 514 calls for service and handled 1,735 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 22 calls assisting outside agencies and had 190 self initiated calls.

Why was this POS released on bail?

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Man whose truck hit trooper is arrested again:

An Abingdon man who was charged with drunken driving after his pickup struck a state trooper Friday night in Smyth County was arrested again yesterday morning, on charges of intoxication in public and possession of drugs, state police said.

Barry Dean Marshall II was a passenger in a car that was pulled over at 2:17 a.m. by a Chilhowie police officer.

[…]

The officer saw the vehicle along northbound Interstate 81 at the 36-mile marker, according to the arrest warrant. Chilhowie is a Smyth County town about 30 miles northeast of Bristol.

Chilhowie police arrested Traci Tashona Peake, 21, on a charge of driving under the influence.

As part of the same incident, Smyth deputies assisting in the stop arrested Marshall, 32. He was charged with public intoxication and possession of drugs with the intent to manufacture or sell, according to the arrest warrant.

Marshall had been charged Friday night with driving under the influence after a pickup he was driving struck trooper K.S. Chapman on I-81, a few miles from where Marshall was arrested yesterday, Conroy said.

Chapman, who has been with the state police for five years, was listed Saturday in critical condition at Bristol Regional Medical Center. State police and hospital officials declined yesterday to release an update on his condition.

Conroy said Chapman’s family requested that his medical record remain private but he said he believes Chapman’s condition has not worsened.

Spotsylvania deputy faces abuse charge in Caroline County

From The Free Lance-Star: Spotsylvania deputy faces abuse charge:

A Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputy has been charged in Caroline County with sexually abusing a child.

Richard E. Lloyd Jr., 38, of Dawn is charged with aggravated sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child.

Spotsylvania Sheriff Howard Smith said Lloyd is on administrative leave from the office and that the issue was a personnel matter.

Lloyd was arrested Jan. 23 on the charges and was released from Pamunkey Regional Jail on a personal recognizance bond. The child is related to Lloyd, authorities said.

Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa said Lloyd’s arrest stemmed from a call from the Department of Social Services requesting assistance.

Online court records show that Lloyd is set for a jury trial May 28 in Caroline County Circuit Court.

A special prosecutor from the Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will be trying the case.

UPDATE: The article from The Caroline Progress.

And the Court of Appeals of Virginia opinion on the prior custody battle.

It them video games’ fault! Oh! And rap music!

Don’t forget that devil music which them kids call “rock ‘n’ roll”.

From The [Delmarva] Daily Times: Reality of violence hits Wicomico:

When Dan Dougherty sat down to listen to rap music lyrics for the first time, he was appalled.

“They talked about sex and killing cops,” Dougherty, the Wicomico County Gang Resistance and EXILE director, said Monday night. “Now you turn on the TV and see carnage … Extreme raw violence is making an impact on our young people, and we’re growing an acceptance for it.”

Dougherty spoke — at times shouted with fury — to a packed Delmar Town Hall, where about 40 residents and Wicomico Neighborhood Congress members received a non-sugarcoated view of their county.

There are nearly 500 known gang members in the county who have helped Wicomico earn the second-place ranking in the state for violent crime per capita. Wicomico County only trails Baltimore City. Dougherty blamed violent lyrics and excessive violence on television and especially in video games.

“In Grand Theft Auto, you score points by killing cops, stealing cars and beating prostitutes,” Dougherty said and cited cases in Maryland where kids re-enacted scenes from the game. “In the ’80s and ’90s, you didn’t have video games, you didn’t have the violence in the media, you didn’t have the Internet. It creates a lack of respect for life and makes violence acceptable.”

This moron is supposed to be preventing gang crime when he knows absolutely no history of gang formation or crime in the United States?

Here’s a brief history for this moron:

1969: The street gang the Crips is formed in Los Angeles.

The number one single that year: The Beatle’s “Get Back”.

Highest grossing film: The Love Bug.

In television: The Brady Bunch and Sesame Street premiere.

In video games: Nothing. They didn’t exist yet!

1971: The street gang the Bloods is formed in Los Angeles.

The number one single that year: John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

Highest grossing film: Fiddler on the Roof.

In television: Masterpiece Theatre; Sabrina, the Teenage Witch; and Soul Train premiere.

In video games: The United States Patent and Trademark Office received a patent for “television gaming and training apparatus”.

1978: The Folk Nation (an alliance of already existing gangs) is formed in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The number one single that year: the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive”.

Highest grossing film: Superman: The Movie.

In television: Dallas, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Diff’rent Strokes premiere.

In video games: The arcade game Space Wars is released.

This ignoramus should be nowhere near a government office, much less involved in gang prevention.

(H/t: GamePolitics.com)

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 26, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 26, 2008:

On January 23, 2008, Deputy C. M. Hall received a report of witness tampering. After investigating, Emonnie O. Crichlow, 20, of Ruther glen was charged with attempting to induce a witness to commit perjury. He was ordered held without bond and a court date of March 7, 2008 was set.

On January 24, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb responded to a property damage report in Ruther Glen. After investigating, a 13 year old juvenile was charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and property damage. A 15 year old juvenile was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Both juveniles were released to their parents and court date information was unavailable.

On January 24, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford responded to a residence in Bowling Green for an altercation. After investigating, Charles W. Clarke, 24, of Richmond was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 25, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Thomas L. Martin, 65, of Bowling Green was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 25, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Terrance S. Mosley, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license – 3rd offense. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to Causteau Street in Woodford, for a reported fight. After investigating, Ryan E. Harrie, 29, of Ruther Glen, was charged with malicious wounding, and misdemeanor possession of a scheduled IV controlled substance. Harrie is being held without bond and a February 1, 2008 court date was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane was investigating a suspicious vehicle at the Pilot Truck Stop. While conducting his investigation, Dutch the canine unit alerted to another vehicle. Upon further investigation, Charles C. Rowe, 29, of Knoxville, TN was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a schedule IV drug (Valium). Rowe is being held on a $2500, secure bond pending an arraignment on February 1, 2008.

UPDATED: Charges against Lashawn Monroe certified

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Murder charge certified against Caroline man:

Felony charges were certified today to a Caroline County grand jury against Lashawn Monroe in the November slaying of Raquel Hunter.

Hunter’s body was found about 11 p.m. Nov. 10 on the ground outside the Madison Ruritan Club hall in Ladysmith. The hall had been rented for a birthday party for another teen.

Monroe, 22, is charged with murder and illegal use of a firearm.

Next stop: Grand jury.

Not sure if the charges will go to the special grand jury (not sure it has been formed yet) or if they will have to wait until April for the regular grand jury.

UPDATE: Richmond Times-Dispatch: Caroline murder trial advances:

A Ruther Glen man accused of killing a 16-year-old outside a birthday party on the night of November 10 had a murder charge against him certified by a judge to a grand jury today.

Lashawn Montque Monroe, 22, is charged in the death of Raquel (pronounced Rockwell) Tremain Hunter, 16, after a fight at the party at the Madison Ruritan Club in Ladysmith..

Party crashers, including Monroe, were ejected from the party, according to testimony in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court today. A melee ensued and the shooting took place about 11 p.m. in the Ruritan Club parking lot.

Javon Edwards, 18, testified that he saw “a big pile of people on top of each other,” including Hunter. He said he helped separate the fighters and noticed that Hunter “swung at somebody.”

He said he was standing next to Hunter when he heard a gunshot and saw a flash between Hunter and Monroe — and then watched Hunter slump to the ground.

Queried by Caroline County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael M. Weise and defense attorney John L. Mahoney, Edwards said he could not say who fired the shot.

“The flash came from the front of who?” Weise asked Edwards.

“The defendant,” Edwards said.

Detective Travis Nutter testified when he began interviewing Monroe a few hours later, Monroe denied having a gun. Later, said Nutter, Monroe admitted that he took a handgun to the party and fired it.

Nutter testified that Monroe told him he saw a “friend and someone else in a confrontation” outside the Ruritan building and when he heard a shot, “he pulled his gun out and shot as he was running away.”

A state medical examiner, Shane Chittenden, testified that Hunter’s body bore three bullet wounds.