A dozen of those named in a recent round of indictments are now considered fugitives, and Patrick County Dan Smith is seeking information on their whereabouts.
“Twelve individuals have not been found as of Monday afternoon,” Smith stated in a release Monday.
He noted that the indictments (which appeared in the June 9 edition of The Enterprise) are concentrated on the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.
Smith said his special investigation unit is constantly involved in covert narcotics investigations countywide. Two investigators are assigned to the unit, and they have consistently yielded a large number of distribution arrests, with subsequent convictions and incarceration.
“If you are selling drugs in Patrick County, your luck will eventually run out,” Smith said.
The methamphetamine epidemic has had an unfortunate presence for decades in the county, Smith said, but the recent uptick in heroin and fentanyl distribution is particularly worrisome.
“Our county and our people are second none, I do not want this poison here,” he said.
Changes in the law regarding the possession of marijuana will not affect the future of drug investigations, he said and added that is because the distribution of marijuana will remain illegal after July 1.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt. It is a grand jury’s finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial.
Those named in the indictments (with photos), and the address listed, are:
*Sherry Lee Stowe, 47, 194 Dogwood Lane, Stuart, described as a white woman with brown hair and eyes, 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighing 187 pounds.
*Sarah Rose Branch, 38, 789 Taylor View Drive, Patrick Springs, described as a white woman with brown eyes and brown hair, 5-feet, 5-inches tall, and weighing 185 pounds.
*Nancy Marlene Beck, 50, 2967 Willis Gap Road, Ararat, described as a white woman with blue eyes and red hair, 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighing 170 pounds.
*Jonathan Wayne Cassell, 36, 1440 Boxwood Lane, Bassett, described as a white man.
*Leonard Leon Cunningham, 49, 4055 Stones Dairy Road, Bassett, described as a black man with brown eyes and black hair, 5-feet, 3-inches tall, and weighing 148 pounds.
*Edilberto Coronado Lopez, Jr., 31, 112 Lee Bowling Drive, Stuart, described as a white man with brown eyes and black hair, 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and weighing 155 pounds.
*Jessica Renee Bailey, 34, 9783 Abram Penn Hwy., Patrick Springs, described as a white woman with blue eyes and blonde hair, 5-feet, 5-inches tall, and weighing 162 pounds.
Those named in the indictments and without a photo are:
*Michael Dangelo Hairston, 29, of 1428 Spruce St., Martinsville, described as a black man with brown eyes and black hair, 6-feet tall, 180 pounds.
*Amy Wall Riddle, 45, 254 South Waim Trail, Elkin, N.C., described as a white woman.
*Jarrett Harley Goins, 18, 7137 Salem Hwy., Stuart, described as a white man.
*Wesley Warren Holt, 19, 105 Lee Bowling Drive, Stuart, described as a white man.
*Jeffery Adam Kendrick, 31, 537 Martin Farm Road, Stuart, described as a white man with green eyes and brown hair, 6-feet, 1-inch tall, and weighing 215 pounds.
*Melinda Sawyers, 33, 5451 Willis Gap Road, Ararat, described as a white woman.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of those listed is asked to call the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 694 3161.
