Crime and Public Safety
GLOUCESTER, Va. (AP) — Authorities in Virginia have accused a former police officer who investigated child pornography of possessing it.News sources report the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office says 65-year-old William Ridgway Gibbs of James City County is charged with 10 counts of possession, reproduction, solicitation and facilitation of child pornography.The sheriff’s office says the James City County Police Department asked it to investigate one of its investigators. The department received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children saying that child pornography images were allegedly being uploaded from an address where Gibbs lived.According to the police department, Gibbs was hired in 1984 and promoted to investigator in 1987. Gibbs received a commendation in 2011 for developing a case and taking it to a grand jury. He resigned in September.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Federal authorities say a man who was convicted of sexual abuse a child has now been found guilty of illegally coming back into the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Virginia’s Eastern District said in a statement Friday that Juan Carlos Gomez-Guevara was deported in 2015. But authorities said the 31-year-old came back to the U.S. He was convicted in September in Norfolk of carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 15 years of age. Authorities said that Gomez-Guevara has since pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry into the U.S. He faces up to two years in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on February.
Isabel Shae Hicks
FROM VIRGINIA STATE POLICE:The Virginia AMBER Alert for Isabel Hicks and Bruce Lynch has been canceled as both have been located in Virginia. Miss Hicks has been safely located and Lynch taken into custody. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office will provide an update shortly…please be patient, as they’re still in the midst of the investigation and arrest.
Isabel Shae Hicks
From Virginia State Police: The Virginia State Police and the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse has issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, for a child abduction that occurred on October 21, 2019 at 0100 hours.
Joe Cobb – Ian Price photo
The joint effort announced yesterday to combat the rising threat of gangs in Roanoke includes an emphasis on prevention – attempts to recruit new members – and that fits in well with the city’s task force to reduce gun violence. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
NEWS RELEASE: On October 15, 2019 members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office began serving multiple drug indictments obtained through the Franklin County Grand Jury. Thirty two drug related indictments were issued on 16 different offenders. The subjects listed have been arrested on the corresponding charges. As a result of the arrests, deputies and investigators obtained and executed three additional search warrants. Several additional felony and misdemeanor charges are pending as a result of the searches. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
- Incident: Narcotics Arrests
- Incident Reported: October 15, 2019
- Location of Incident: Numerous locations in Franklin County
- Suspect #1 Name: Randall Layne Stump of Ferrum, VA
- Suspect #1 Age: 36
- Charges:
- Distribution of schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #2 Name: Shawn Delante Wright of Rocky Mount, VA
- Suspect #2 Age: 31
- Charges:
- Distribution of schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #3 Name: Jerry Lee Hodges of Ferrum, VA
- Suspect #3 Age: 59
- Charges:
- Manufacture Marijuana (x2)
- Possess with intent to Distribute Marijuana (x2)
- Suspect #4 Name: Ethan Ryan Hundley of Glade Hill, VA
- Suspect #4 Age: 26
- Charges:
- Distribute of Schedule I or II controlled substance
- Suspect #5 Name: Amanda Dawn Martinez of Glade Hill, VA
- Suspect #5 Age: 39
- Charges:
- Distribution of schedule I or II controlled substance
- Suspect #6 Name: Jeffrey Lynn Blankenship of Penhook, VA
- Suspect #6 Age: 49
- Charges:
- Manufacture Marijuana
- Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
- Possession of a Firearm with over one pound of Marijuana
- Suspect #7 Name: Shannon Lee Saari of Wirtz, VA
- Suspect #7 Age: 33
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #8 Name: Randal Eugene Manley of Henry, VA
- Suspect #8 Age: 59
- Charges:
- Possession of schedule I or II controlled substance (x3)
- Possession of Firearm with Schedule I or II Controlled Substance
- Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
- Suspect #9 Name: Christopher Lyn Tolley of Rocky Mount, VA
- Suspect #9 Age: 43
- Charges:
- Possession of schedule I or II controlled substance
- Suspect #10 Name: Tiffany Michelle Hodges of Ferrum, VA
- Suspect #10 Age: 44
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance
- Suspect #11 Name: Lorrie Earlene Hicks of Rocky Mount, VA
- Suspect #11 Age: 23
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #12 Name: Teresa Gayle Craighead of Rocky Mount, VA
- Suspect #12 Age: 42
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #13 Name: Jerry Wayne Underwood of Callaway, VA
- Suspect #13 Age: 34
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #14 Name: Julie Lynn Law of Boones Mill, VA
- Suspect #14 Age: 29
- Charges:
- Possession of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Suspect #15 Name: Amanda Elizabeth Harding of Huddleston, VA
- Suspect #15 Age: 29
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance (x2)
- Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon
- Felony Child Endangerment
- Suspect #16 Name: Mary Elizabeth Blankenship of Rocky Mount, VA
- Suspect #16 Age: 38
- Charges:
- Distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substance
- Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I or II Controlled Substance
CARE coalition /G Marrano photo
A decade ago then-police chief Joe Gaskins declared there were no organized gangs operating in Roanoke but this morning United States Western District Attorney Thomas Cullen and the new CARE coalition said that’s not the case now. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Representatives from 30 civil rights groups are calling on lawmakers to stop surveillance partnerships between Amazon’s Ring doorbell system and police departments. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
Roanoke Police say a man and a woman were found with gunshot wounds this afternoon two miles and 10 minutes apart. But it is not yet clear whether the two incidents are related. One victim was found at an apartment complex off Brandon Avenue, the other across the Roanoke River on the 3700 block of Troutland Avenue. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
NEWS RELEASE: On October 23, 2019 just before 2:00 pm, Roanoke Police were dispatched to a person with a gunshot wound in the 3700 block of Stratford Park Drive SW. Responding officers located an adult male with a gunshot wound in a parking lot. The man was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.
Approximately 10 minutes later, dispatch advised there was another person with a gunshot wound in the 3700 block of Troutland Avenue NW. Additional officers headed to that scene and located an adult female with a gunshot wound outside of a residence. The woman was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.
At this time, it is unknown if the two shootings are related. No arrests have been made regarding these investigations. Detectives and Forensics Investigators are currently on scene.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
(new 10-23) The Virginia State Police says Dineshkumar Patel of Troutville has now has died as a result of injuries he received while crossing US Route 11 as a pedestrian on Friday. The hit and run crash occurred in Troutville just south of Route 220 the Dodge Store and McDonalds. Evidence recovered indicates the vehicle involved was a late model metallic blue Chevrolet Colorado or a GMC Canyon. The vehicle will have damage to the driver’s side. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Virginia State Police.
(previously) from State Police) Virginia State Police are asking for any information from the public regarding a hit and run crash involving a pedestrian. The hit and run occurred Friday (Oct 18) on Route 11, in front of the Dodge’s gas station, just south of Route 220 in Botetourt County.
Virginia State Police are looking for a 2018 or 2019, metallic blue, Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon. The vehicle was traveling south on Route 11, when it struck the pedestrian which was crossing the roadway; between the Dodge Store and McDonalds. The vehicle continued south on Route 11, toward Roanoke. The vehicle will have damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle, including the driver’s side mirror. If you have any information or see the vehicle involved, please contact the Virginia State Police at 800-542-5959 or questions@vsp.virginia.gov.