Crime and Public Safety
Photo: Blacksburg PD
UPDATE: AUBURN, Ala. (AP) – An English instructor at Auburn University in Alabama has been arrested in Virginia on child porn charges. News outlets report 52-year-old William Matthew Carter, of Auburn, was held Monday at a Virginia jail awaiting extradition to Alabama, where he faces additional possession of child pornography charges. Blacksburg, Virginia, police say in a release that Carter was arrested Friday; Auburn University says Carter was fired that same day. Police spokesman John Goad says he’s unsure why Carter was in Virginia. Carter’s now-removed faculty profile on Auburn University’s website described him as a “longtime resident of Roanoke, Virginia.” Virginia authorities later contacted Alabama authorities, who say they searched Carter’s home and found electronic devices containing child porn. Police say some of the child porn featured children from outside the Auburn area.
PREVIOUS: An Auburn, Alabama man faces child pornography charges in Blacksburg and his home town. Blacksburg Police were first to arrest 52-year-old William Carter Friday, and upon learning more, they contacted Auburn Police. According to the al.com website, Auburn police then began their own investigation, executing a search warrant at Carter’s home. Police say they found electronic devices containing images of child pornography.
Blacksburg Police news release: On Friday May 10, 2019, Blacksburg Police Department arrested William Matthew Carter, 52, of Auburn, Alabama for Possession of Child Pornography (Felony). He was taken before a Magistrate and released on a $3500.00 unsecured bond. Additional warrants were later obtained by Auburn Alabama Police Department and served by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently being held in Western Regional Jail on No Bond awaiting extradition on the Alabama charges.
Photo: Roanoke Police
UPDATE: Roanoke Police say a man previously thought to be involved in a shooting over the weekend is no longer a suspect. Officials say further investigation revealed Tyriek Jordan was not involved in the incident on May 12th that started after a fight outside the city market building. Investigators say they are looking for another man who they believe was involved.
News release: Roanoke Police are asking for your help locating Tyriek Jordan. Based on information obtained in the May 12, 2019 downtown shooting investigation, Roanoke Police have obtained a charge of malicious wounding for Javoun Jordan, 29 of Roanoke, and also a charge of malicious wounding for Tyriek Jordan, 30 of Patterson, NJ. Javoun Jordan turned himself in to Roanoke Police on May 14, 2019 and is currently in the custody of the Roanoke Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information concerning the location of Tyriek Jordan 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.
UPDATED MAY 15: Roanoke Police have identified and arrested Gene Gallimore, 59 of Roanoke, and charged him with the February 13, 2019 felony hit and run of Linda Pierson. Gallimore is also charged with not having an operator’s license.
PREVIOUS FROM ROANOKE CITY POLICE: On February 13, 2019 at around 7 pm, Roanoke Police responded to the intersection of 5th Street and Campbell Avenue SW in regard to a traffic crash involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim, later identified as Linda Pierson, 58 of Roanoke, lying on the sidewalk near the intersection. She was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS, where she died from her injuries.At this time, we are investigating this incident as a fatal hit and run. No arrests have been made in this case.If anyone saw this incident or has information, please call us at(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.
A man has been charged in connection to the weekend shooting in downtown Roanoke. 29-year-old Javoun Jordan faces a charge of malicious wounding after the shooting on Sunday morning that stemmed from a fight outside the City Market Building. The victim, Timothy Pendleton was treated for a gunshot wound to the hip.
Shawn Hunter
The founder of The Peacemakers in Roanoke – Shawn Hunter – has now called for the resignation of Roanoke City Police Chief Tim Jones, who said yesterday, quote, “this is not some rap video, this is where we live.” Jones was responding to the shooting outside Awful Arthur’s in downtown Roanoke this weekend, which involved an African-American gunman. Hunter says Chief Jones has stereotyped and painted with a broad brush. Hunter tells WFIR that Jones has never shown the same level of concern for shootings in predominately minority communities. Chief Jones tells WFIR his remark was not racial in nature – saying there are rappers of all colors in violent videos.
Photo: USDA.gov
UPDATE: Federal officials have identified the man fatally stabbed Saturday along the Appalachian Trail in Wythe County has 43-year-old Ronald Sanchez of Oklahoma.
PREVIOUS from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia: United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and David W. Archey, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, announced today an arrest in a deadly stabbing incident that occurred along the Appalachian Trail in Wythe County, Virginia that left one person dead and another severely injured.
James L. Jordan 30, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, was arrested in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 11, 2019 on a federal criminal complaint. Jordan is charged with one count of murder within the special maritime territorial jurisdiction of the United States and one count of assault with the intent to murder within the special maritime territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
“I commend local law enforcement in Wythe and Smyth Counties for mobilizing successful rescue and tactical operations in this remote region,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “Thanks to their efforts, the suspect was safely apprehended and a seriously wounded victim received critical medical care. We will continue to work with our state and local partners to bring the perpetrator of this senseless and brutal attack to justice.”
This investigation is ongoing. The federal charges against Jordan will be officially filed in U.S. District Court in Abingdon Monday morning. The defendant will have an initial court appearance in federal court in Abingdon on Monday, May 13, 2019.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Responding to a charge from Peacemakers Founder Shawn Hunter that he should resign over his “this is not a rap video” comment in regards to the shooting outside Awful Arthur’s in downtown Roanoke early Sunday morning, Chief of Police Tim Jones tells WFIR it was NOT aimed at African-Americans – and wasn’t racist. Jones also says the Virginia ABC has now cleared Awful Arthur’s of any wrongdoing in regards to the incident on Sunday morning. Chief Jones also denies he has not focused on the violence in predominately minority communities – adding however that residents need to do their part to make all of Roanoke a safer place to live.
Photo: Roanoke police
Roanoke City Police are seeking a suspect or suspects for two armed robberies over the weekend – the first Friday night on the 600 block of Liberty Road Northeast, the second Sunday night on the 600 block of Moorman Avenue Northwest. Police say in both cases, a man who walked in, pulled out a handgun and demanded money. The stores are not named, but only retail businesses on those blocks are the Snappy Mart on Liberty and A and A Market on Moorman.
From Roanoke City Police: On May 11, 2019 just before 8:00pm, Roanoke Police responded to a robbery call at a business in the 600 block of Liberty Rd NE. Investigation shows that an unidentified male entered the business where he subsequently displayed a small handgun and demanded money. After obtaining an undetermined amount of money the subject fled the area on foot toward the Williamson Rd area.
On May 12, 2019 just before 10:00pm, Roanoke Police responded to a robbery report at a business in the 600 block of Moorman Ave NW (pictured in photo at left). Investigation shows that a male entered the business with his face covered displaying a firearm and demanded money. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the subject fled the area on foot. This is an ongoing investigation.
These are ongoing investigations. 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.
From Roanoke Police: On May 12, 2019 at around 2 am, Roanoke Police were responding to a disorder at a restaurant in the 100 block of Campbell Avenue SW. Two adult females were involved in a verbal altercation with others in the restaurant. The altercation was becoming physical when they were asked to leave the business. Both the women and their party left the restaurant, but continued the fight in the streets. At that point, a male suspect shot another adult male. The victim was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and is in stable condition.
No one has been arrested regarding this incident. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident 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.