Thirty-nine people were indicted on 191 narcotics distribution charges, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
The indictments will remain sealed until September 19.
The indictments stem from an 18-month investigation conducted by the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigation Unit, Smith said.
Law enforcement officers have been active throughout the day arresting those named in the indictments, Smith said. As of 3 p.m. Monday, 16 individuals had been arrested, he added.
“We will remain active throughout the week searching for those on the list, in addition to working with authorities in Henry County and North Carolina to apprehend those who live there,” the sheriff said.
All names will be released once the indictments are unsealed.
The investigation was led by Lt. Nicholas Pendleton and investigator Brian Hubbard.
In addition, several were named in a September 5 round of indictments, according to records in the Patrick County Court Clerk’s Office.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt, but a grand jury’s determination that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial.
Those named in the indictments are:
*Henriy Galeas, 19, of Stuart, one count each reckless handing of a firearm causing serious injury and unlawfully shoot in occupied dwelling, Jan. 18.
*Brittany Nicole Ownes, 28, of Stuart, one count each child endangerment and possession of methamphetamine, on or between Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, 2022.
*Andrew Tyler Clifton, 28, of Stuart, child endangerment, Aug. 14, 2022.
*Joseph Eugene Dodd, 27, of Stuart, hit and run attended property, April 3.
*Darian Rayburn Tatum, 49, of Critz, elude, Jan. 10.
*Susan Michelle Smith, 40, of Martinsburg, WV, six counts larceny of catalytic converter and two counts conspiracy to commit larceny of catalytic converter, on or between Feb. 1 and March 17.
*Tony Lee Epperson, 51, of Mt. Airy, N.C., six counts larceny of catalytic converter and conspire to commit larceny of catalytic converter, on or between Feb. 1 and March 17.
*Crystal Kathleen Luckado, 33 of Stuart, assault and batter on law enforcement officer, April 16.
*Crystal Sue Darrah, 48, of Eden, N.C., grand larceny, Jan. 14.
*Andrew Manuel Tapanes, 30, of Meadows of Dan, elude, April 22.
*Dale Anthony Helms, 26, of Stuart, assault and batter on law enforcement officer, May 20.
*Debbie Jean Sexton, 58, of Stuart, one count each assault and batter on law enforcement officer and destruction of property, on or between Sept. 1, 2022 and Feb. 24, 2023.
*Wendy Marie Tilley, 47, of Bassett, two counts grand larceny of a motor vehicle, on or between July 18 and Aug. 23, 2022.
*Dillard Clayton France., Jr., 54, of Ararat, two counts domestic assault and battery – 3rd offense, and one count child endangerment, June 13.
*William Scott Jackson, 49, of Woolwine, malicious wounding, on or between July 15 and July 19.
*Anthony Leroy Brannon, 58, of Jonesville, SC, one count each abduction, prevent 911 call, and malicious wounding, Feb. 27.
*Brandi Gibbs Crews, 43, of Eden, N.C., possession of methamphetamine, March 25.
*Matthew Blake Foley, 20, of Stuart, one count each object sexual penetration and sodomy of victim age 13+, one of between Jan. 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
*Vershonda Tamika Renne Lewis, 39, of Bassett, one count each concealed carry a concealed weapon, possession of Schedule I or II drugs, and possession of Schedule I or II drug while possessing firearm, Feb. 11.
*James Robert Mullins, 45, of Bassett, one count each possession of oxycodone, possession of fentanyl, and possession of methamphetamine, Jan. 28.
*Billy Joe Plaster, 45, of Salem, possession of methamphetamine, Feb. 9.
*Lori Beth Tate, 40, of Stuart, possession of methamphetamine, Jan. 13.
*Russell David Worley, 26, of Stuart, one count each possession of fentanyl and possession of methamphetamine, Oct. 8, 2022.
