Crime and Public Safety
POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to bribing an FBI official to help him win lucrative construction and maintenance contracts worth more than $12 million for an Idaho data center.
Robert Bailey, 63, of Centreville, Virginia, entered the guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Idaho on Thursday, acknowledging that he paid more than $128,000 in exchange for help winning the contracts.
Court records identify the FBI official only as “J.H.”, describing the official as the former contracting officer representative for the Pocatello Data Center project. Court records don’t reveal if the official has been charged.
In court documents, prosecutors say Bailey bought a construction company called L-1 in 2001 in Chantilly, Virginia, and a few years later befriended the FBI employee. When the FBI broke ground on the construction of the Idaho data center in 2017, the FBI official was tasked with overseeing construction.
Bailey and his company made payments and gave valuable items to the FBI employee between 2016 and 2018, including a 50th birthday first-class trip to Texas to watch the Dallas Cowboys play, a beach house rental in North Carolina and other items, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said the gifts and payments were made to influence the FBI employee into helping Bailey get more money for the construction project, including paying his company increased labor rates and paying lodging rates to Bailey when his employees stayed at his house instead of a hotel.
“Public officials who are responsible for administering government contracts bear a great responsibility to do so fairly and with integrity,” Idaho U.S. Attorney Bart Davis said in a prepared statement. “Individuals who seek to entice these public officials to reap an unfair advantage in the contracting process will be held accountable.”
Bailey could face 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 16.
NEWS RELEASE: On 9/12/20 Bedford County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators responded to an address in the Forest area of the county after receiving a call from an adult male stating that he had been Abducted, Beaten, and Robbed at an address in Roanoke County and then transported by the suspects to his address in Forest, VA where he was held against his will and more items, as well as his vehicle, were stolen by the suspects. The victim identified Michelle Lea Nester of Salem Va. as being a suspect and the initial crime beginning at her residence in Roanoke County. Michelle Lea Nester was arrested near her residence on 9/12/20 and charged with Abduction, Robbery, and Grand Larceny (Bedford County Charges). A joint investigation continued with Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Roanoke County Police Department Investigators where more charges were brought against Michelle Lea Nester and other suspects were identified and charged by Roanoke County Police Department. On 10/5/20 warrants for Robbery, Abduction, and two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony were obtained by a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Investigator on Khairajhn Muhammad Sims of Roanoke VA.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact Inv. Edmondson of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-4800 ext. 4061 Or Inv. VanPatten of Roanoke County Police Department at 540-777-8629
NEWS RELEASE: Oct. 6, 2020 – On the evening of Monday, Oct. 5, the Christiansburg Police Department responded to two serious incidents that resulted in a large police presence in multiple parts of the Town.
At approximately 8:11 p.m., the Christiansburg Police Department responded to the 1900 block of Ridinger Street for a report of domestic assault. Upon arrival, officers encountered an adult female – who is not being identified – outside a residence on Ridinger Street. The female had visible injuries to the head. A male subject, visible inside the residence, closed the door and retreated deeper into the residence. Police called for additional assistance and the department’s Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene. The male subject remained barricaded in the residence for approximately two and half hours before crisis negotiators successfully negotiated his surrender at approximately 10:36 p.m.
Christopher Blake Touchet, 27, of Christiansburg, was taken into custody without further incident and was charged with one count each of:
- Strangulation – 18.2-51.6 (felony)
- Abduction – 18.2-47 (felony)
- Domestic Assault – 18.2-57 (misdemeanor)
- Willfully Prevent Calling 911 – 18.2-164 (misdemeanor)
He is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.
While the situation with the domestic assault and barricaded person was ongoing, Christiansburg Police received a call of a stabbing on Roanoke Street, near the intersection of Arrowhead Trail. A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived on scene first and found an adult male suffering from stab wounds to the upper body. The deputy began first aid and summoned additional assistance. A witness stated the suspect had fled the scene on foot and provided a name and description of the suspect. A search for the suspect was initiated immediately. The suspect was located on foot in the 500 block of Republic Road in Christiansburg a short time later. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Kade Dominic Carter, 21, of Christiansburg was charged with one count of:
- Aggravated Malicious Wounding – 18.2-51.2 (felony)
Carter is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Jail.
The victim, Michael Lee Ponce, 50, of Goodview, was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. No additional information is available on his condition at this time. While an exact cause for the altercation is not known, all involved parties have been accounted for and the suspect arrested. There is no ongoing danger to the community. Detectives are continuing to investigate the case.
The Christiansburg Police Department would like to thank the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Their quick response and immediate initiation of first aid to the victim prevented this crime from resulting in a more tragic outcome. We would also like to acknowledge the members of Christiansburg Rescue, Christiansburg Fire, Lifeguard 11, and the NRV 911 Communications Center, all of whom played vital roles saving the victim. This multi-agency spirit of cooperation is what makes us successful in responding to critical incidents in the New River Valley. Last, but not least, we want to recognize patrol officers, detectives and supervisors of the Christiansburg Police Department who responded to two simultaneous, violent and critical incidents and successfully and peacefully resolved both.
STATE POLICE UPDATE: ROANOKE Co, Va. – Virginia State Police Trooper T.R. Derosha is investigating a single vehicle crash which resulted in a two fatalities. The crash occurred Monday (Oct 5) at 2:53 a.m. on the southbound side of Interstate 81 at the 131.4-mile marker in Roanoke County.
A 2019 Jeep Cherokee was traveling south on Interstate 81, when the vehicle ran off the right side of the highway and struck several trees.
The driver of the Jeep was identified as David Paul Boileau, 35, of Simpsonville, S.C. Mr. Boileau was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.
The passenger was identified as Jordan Joshua Harrell, 29, of Bronx, N.Y. Mr. Harrell was wearing his seatbelt and also died at the scene.
The Virginia State Police Crash Investigation Team was called to assist with the crash.
Speed and driver fatigue are believed to be factors in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
PREVIOUS: State Police are working a crash which resulted in two fatalities. The crash occurred at 2:53 a.m. on Interstate 81, southbound, at the 131.4 mile marker. A 2019 Grand Cherokee was traveling south when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck several trees.The right lane is closed until the vehicle can be removed.
(Roanoke PD release) On October 5 at approximately 1:15am, Roanoke Police responded to reports of a person with a gunshot wound in the 300 block of 9th Street SW. Officers located a juvenile female with a gunshot wound behind a residence in the area. She was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a non-life threatening injury. Details on this incident are limited at this time. No arrests have been made regarding this investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 or text 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
On October 3, 2020 at approximately 12:00pm, Roanoke Police were notified of shots fired in the 1000 block of Penmar Avenue SE. A short time later, officers were notified that an adult male with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound arrived via personal transport to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the man. Preliminary investigation indicates the parties involved are acquainted with one other and met at the park. Further details are limited at this time. No arrests have been made regarding this incident.
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 2:48 pm) Both lanes northbound and southbound in the area of the 6200 block of Franklin Road/US 220 in SW Roanoke County are now open.
(from Roanoke County Police 2pm) Both lanes northbound and southbound in the area of the 6200 block of Franklin Road/US 220 are currently blocked. It is unknown at this time when the lanes will reopen. The lanes are blocked due to a dump truck striking potential power lines across the roadway. Roanoke County Police and Fire/Rescue units are on scene. Another press release will be sent out once the roadway is back open. (About 550 APCO customers do not have power in this area)
(earlier) On US-220 in Roanoke County near Winter Drive and Red Hill Baptist Church expect delays due to a vehicle crash that at last word had all Northbound and Southbound lanes closed shortly after 1-pm per VDOT. Last updated: 1:07 PM
Chief Sam Roman/G Marrano photos
Mayor Sherman Lea, police chief Sam Roman and the US Marshal’s office unveiled Operation Street Sweeper today atop Mill Mountain – a joint effort to reduce gun violence and other criminal activity that could be gang-related. Chief Roman said Street Sweeper led to 138 related arrests recently. That includes “realigning” police department resources to better address issues like gun violence said Roman – who also wanted to reassure Roanokers that they live in a “safe city.”
NEWS RELEASE: On September 30, 2020 at around noon, Roanoke Police were notified of a stabbing that occurred in the area of 20th Street and Mason Mill Road NE. Responding officers located an adult female with what appeared to be a non-life threatening stab wound. She was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Details are limited. No arrests have been made at this time. 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.