HENRY COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A joint drug investigation, which took place over the period of about a year, resulted in 79 felony charges against 24 adults.
Of those 24 indicted by a grand jury on Monday, 16 were arrested on Wednesday and law enforcement agents are still searching for eight others, who face 31 felonies.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the Henry County Commonwealth Attorney's Office, Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the operation in Henry County.
Quantities of meth, cocaine and marijuana ranging from about 1 gram to 4 pounds were seized during the operation, according to the sheriff's office.
In addition, quantities of pharmaceutical pills ranging from 5 to 100 were seized during this operation.
Multiple properties of land and homes, multiple vehicles, and U.S. Currency in excess of $34,000, were also seized during this investigation.
The following 16 people were arrested on Wednesday, November 23 and face the following charges.
Clifford Beal, of Collinsville, Va.- Three counts of distribution of cocaine
- Two counts of possession of a firearm while distributing cocaine
- Distribution of an imitation controlled substance
- Obtain money by false pretense
- Distribution of a Schedule VI controlled substance
Bobby Carter, of Martinsville, Va.Four counts of distribution of meth, second offenseConspiracy to distribute methLarry Foster of Ridgeway, Va.Three counts of distribution of cocaine, second offenseBobbi Jo Gutowski, of Ridgeway, Va.Three counts of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substanceJason Hayes, of Ridgeway, Va.Distribution of cocaine, third offenseConspiracy to distribute cocaineJamie Hodges, of Collinsville, Va.Distribution of methVincent Jamison, of Martinsville, Va.Distribution of oxycodoneConspiracy to distribute oxycodoneJustin Menefee, of Martinsville, Va.Distribution of cocaine, third or subsequent offenseBernard Moore, of Martinsville, Va.Three counts of distribution of cocaineKeith Peters, of Collinsville, Va.Distribution of methConspiracy to distribute methWilliam Rea, of Collinsville, Va.Three counts of distribution of methNicole Robinette, of Ridgeway, Va.Distribution of MethadoneDistribution of oxycodoneRonald David Robinette Jr., of RidgewayTwo counts of distribution of oxycodoneChild endangermentBrenda Giggetts Taylor, of Martinsville, Va.Distribution of oxycodoneConspiracy to distribute oxycodoneKaklia Taylor, of Ridgeway, Va.Two counts of distribution of cocaineConspiracy to distribute cocaineCharles Whisenton, of Bassett, Va.Three counts of distribution of cocaine, third or subsequent offense