Crime and Public Safety
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John McAfee, the security software pioneer and Roanoke College alum who tried to embrace life as an outsider while running from legal troubles, including possible murder, was found dead in a Spanish jail cell on Wednesday. His death came just hours after a Spanish court announced that it had approved his extradition to the United States to face tax charges punishable by decades in prison, authorities said. McAfee, who was among other things a cryptocurrency promoter, tax opponent, U.S. presidential candidate and fugitive who publicly embraced drugs, guns and sex, had a history of legal troubles spanning from Tennessee to Central America to the Caribbean.
On June 20 at approximately 6:55 p.m., Roanoke Police responded to a report of a deceased person inside a vehicle in the 1400 block of Gilbert Rd NW. Upon arrival officers located the vehicle which matched the description of a vehicle belonging to a missing person recently reported out of Salem, VA. A deceased adult male was located inside the vehicle. The deceased was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. The victim was identified as Trevor Carrington, the subject who was reported missing from Salem. No arrests have been made regarding this incident at this time. This remains 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.
Rodney Dunn (RPD Photo)
The man wanted for fatally shooting a Roanoke woman more than four years ago was arrested Friday in New York City. Roanoke Police report a fugitive task force took 36-year-old Rodney Dunn into custody. He faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of Asia Wade in February of 2017. Wade was found shot in the doorway of a Shenandoah Village apartment and died under hospital treatment a short time later.
NEWS RELEASE: On June 18, 2021, the NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Rodney R. Dunn, 36 in Queens, NY on an outstanding Second Degree Murder warrant for the murder of Asia Wade on February 6, 2017 in the 700 Block 29th Street N.W.. No additional information is available.
Franklin County emergency crews are responding to a house fire this morning in the 3 hundred block of Rolling Hill Drive in Boones Mill. Investigators said the home was full engulfed for about 30 minutes before crews knocked down the flames. Now they are monitoring for hot spots. No one was home at the time of the blaze.
On June 20, 2021, at approximately 1:31 a.m., Roanoke Police responded to the 100 block of Campbell Avenue SE after hearing numerous gunshots. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be serious gunshot wounds. The male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke FireEMS. While officers were on scene, they were advised that a second adult male with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries from a gunshot wound had arrived via personal transport to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. It was determined that these injuries were from the same incident.
No arrests have been made regarding this incident at this time. This remains 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
(update 6/17 5pm) The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tyler Hayes Martin, age 21 of Forest, Virginia in the recent burglaries of the food trucks located at the Backyard in Forest, Virginia. Martin was charged with 3 counts of burglary, 1 count of property damage, and one count of petit larceny. Martin was transported to the Bedford Regional Jail. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens of Bedford County for assistance in solving this case.
previous NEWS RELEASE: The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in the break-ins, larceny and property damage of several food trucks at the Backyard located on Rt.221 at Burn Bridge Road. The incident took place at approximately 4:30AM on 6/15/21. At the time of the incident the suspect was wearing black Nike flip flops, long sleeve shirt, long pants, gloves and a dirt bike style helmet. The suspect arrived and left the location driving a motor scooter.
Anyone with information on this incident can contact Investigator Burnette with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.
Virginia’s Department of Corrections says it released more than 2,000 “responsible inmates” for coronavirus-related considerations since April of last year, but that will come to an end when its authority to do so ends July 1. Officials say the DOC focused on inmates with less than one year remaining on their sentences who were deemed most vulnerable to COVID from existing medical conditions.
NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Corrections’ authority to release state inmates early due to the coronavirus pandemic will terminate at midnight on July 1. Thus far, 2,114 state responsible inmates have been released early due to the pandemic.
On April 22, 2020, the Virginia General Assembly approved a proposed budget amendment from Governor Ralph Northam giving the director of the Department of Corrections authority to release offenders early during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Just as the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, this authority for the director to release inmates early was unprecedented.
The Department continues to review individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for early release, with a focus on those inmates deemed most vulnerable due to an underlying medical condition or other circumstances that warrant an expedited review; however, the Department’s authority to release individuals early will terminate at midnight on July 1, 2021, as specified in the budget amendment.
The state prison population has decreased significantly during the pandemic. The average daily inmate population at the end of April was 23,897. Per the budget amendment, the director of the Department of Corrections is authorized to consider early release for individuals with less than one year left to serve while the COVID-19 emergency declaration is in effect. Inmates convicted of a Class 1 felony or a sexually violent offense are not eligible for consideration. Criteria for early release are available on the Department’s website, as they have been throughout the pandemic: https://vadoc.virginia.gov/media/1506/vadoc-covid19-early-release-plan.pdf and https://vadoc.virginia.gov/media/1512/vadoc-covid19-early-release-plan-local.pdf.
“We thank family members and community organizations for stepping up to offer services and support to this population as we safely released inmates early during the pandemic,” said Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “The early release plan was an innovative way to ensure the safety and security of our incarcerated population as well as the public.”
The VADOC considers multiple factors as they review offenders who are eligible for early release, including the offense type and history, medical conditions, a documented and approved home plan, good time earning level, recidivism risk, and active detainers. State probation and parole offices have worked to ensure they were ready to receive the additional inmates as they were released onto probation.
“Our inmate management staff worked overtime to identify individuals eligible for early release, including securing suitable home plans, while continuing all regular releases during the pandemic,” said Department of Corrections Director Harold Clarke. “As our authority to release inmates early comes to a close, we have about 70% of our inmate population vaccinated, and no current cases of COVID-19 amongst the inmate population.”
Of the 2,114 state responsible inmates have been released early, 1,326 have been released from DOC facilities and 788 from local jails.
With vaccination rates rising and COVID cases falling, the Department of Corrections will soon be able to allow visitors back into its facilities. VADOC is planning a phased-in opening to visitors, continuing to follow CDC guidance for congregate settings.
VADOC continues to vaccinate all staff and inmates who want to be vaccinated, and to test staff and inmates for COVID-19. Inmate vaccination percentages are affected as inmates are discharged from correctional facilities and no longer counted amongst the vaccinated inmate population and new inmates enter the system. Face masks continue to be required in congregate settings, including correctional facilities.
A southwest Virginia woman has been sentenced to nine years for defrauding the government of almost 500-thousand dollars in unemployment compensation, funds intended to help those coping with COVID-19 job losses. Federal prosecutors say 31-year-old Leelynn Chytka of Russell County conspired with dozens of others, including prisoners, to fraudulently obtain pandemic unemployment assistance. She was also ordered to pay almost 456-thousand dollars in restitution.
NEWS RELEASE: ABINGDON, Va. – A Russell County woman was sentenced today to 108 months in prison and to pay $455,930.00 in restitution, for conspiring with others to defraud the government of more than $499,000 and to commit mail fraud, and committing aggravated identify theft and for distributing drugs into a prison facility.
According to court documents, Leelynn Danielle Chytka, 31, waived her right to be indicted in March 2021 and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud with respect to benefits authorized and paid in connection with a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of distribution of suboxone.
“In the midst of a global pandemic, this defendant conspired with others to defraud the Virginia Employment Commission of nearly $500,000 intended for Virginians in need,” Acting United States Attorney Bubar said today. “This was money set aside by the federal government to assist those struggling during the COVID-19 crisis—not meant to line the pockets of fraudsters. I am grateful for the work of the Department of Labor and the IRS for the tireless work the put in to uncovering this fraud and bringing these defendants to justice.”
“Chytka and her co-conspirators dishonestly obtained nearly half a million dollars in pandemic unemployment compensation. We will continue to investigate those who exploit programs designed to help those struggling through this global pandemic. There are criminal consequences to personally enriching yourself at the cost of others,” said Darrell J. Waldon, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge of the Washington DC Field Office.
“LeeLynn Chytka defrauded the United States of at least $499,000 by leading a scheme involving more than 35 co-conspirators to include inmates in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, in the fraudulent filing for and receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. This type of fraud causes significant harm to many citizens. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and its partners at the Virginia Employment Commission will continue working with our law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who commit fraud against the unemployment insurance program,” said Syreeta Scott, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U. S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
Chytka admitted to leading a conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits.
According to court documents, Chytka, and others, conspired to collect personal identification information of more than 35 co-conspirators, including 15 inmates in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, and to file fraudulent claims of pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
Over the course of nine months, Chytka filed fraudulent claims for at least 37 individuals, with a total actual loss to the United States of at least $499,000.
The Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Norton Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy prosecuted the case.
Photo: WVRJ
(Roanoke County release) New Western Virginia Regional Jail Superintendent Appointed June 11, 2021 – The Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority today announced the appointment of David Cox as Superintendent of the Western Virginia Regional Jail (WVRJ). Cox assumes his new position immediately. “David is well known and well respected in law enforcement circles throughout southwest Virginia and, personally, I have had the pleasure of working with him on a number of levels,” said Jay Taliaferro, chairman of the Western Virginia Jail Authority. “He has been a key figure at the jail since it opened and I cannot think of a better person to succeed Bobby Russell as superintendent, and continue the jail’s high level of professionalism.”
Cox currently serves as Lieutenant Colonel and Interim Superintendent of the WVRJ. “It is a great honor and privilege to be selected as WVRJ’s Superintendent,” said Cox. During his tenure, Cox has served as Deputy Superintendent and overseen day-to-day operations of the WVRJ, as well as a workforce of approximately 200 people. Prior to joining the WVRJ, Cox served as a Police Officer for the City of Salem. He was also employed at the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office where he directed operations within the security and services divisions of the Roanoke City Jail.
On June 9, 2021 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified of shots fired in the area near the Berglund Center. While responding, officers were notified that there was an injured person on scene. Officers located a juvenile male with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound inside the event center. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the teen to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident happened in the parking lot by the Berglund Center, and shortly after the victim ran inside. Officers did not locate any suspects on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation and no further information is available at the time of this release.