Five men from Franklin County face charges stemming from three separate Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control investigations into moonshine and drug operations in the county. The ABC department announced last week’s arrests on Tuesday. Velvet Hall has more…
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) news release:
Virginia ABC Investigations in Franklin County Result in Five Arrests
RICHMOND – Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) special agents wrapped up several months-long investigations into moonshine and narcotics operations in Franklin County last week with five arrests and leads into more illegal activity launching a new investigation.
With assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, ABC agents concluded three separate moonshine investigations in an enforcement roundup that included the seizure of more than 20 gallons of untaxed liquor and small amounts of marijuana and the following arrests late last week:
- Russell Wesley Pugh, 59, of the 300 block of Dogwood Hill Road in Boones Mill with felony manufacture of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Pugh was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond.
- Ronnie Manning, 50, (misdemeanor possession of untaxed liquor), Joshua Wayne Manning, 26, (misdemeanor possession of marijuana) and Jeremy Manning, 23, (misdemeanor possession of untaxed liquor and misdemeanor possession of marijuana), all of the 800 block of Tobacco Road in the Glade Hill area of Franklin County. All were released on their signatures.
- Michael Steven Cundiff, 59, of Oakpark Drive in the Moneta area of Franklin County, with misdemeanor possession of untaxed liquor. Cundiff was released on his signature.
During the course of the enforcement efforts late last week, ABC agents received a tip that led them to another location where they executed a consent search and seized approximately 150 gallons of untaxed liquor and a small amount of a controlled substance/narcotics. The alcohol was discovered behind a false wall in an outbuilding on John Wesley St. Clair’s property on Nina’s Way in the Wirtz area of Franklin County. Criminal charges are expected.
