State Police still seek motive in Va. Tech murder-suicide

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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office is continuing its efforts to identify a motive in the murder-suicide that occurred Dec. 8, 2011, on the Virginia Tech campus. State police investigators worked through the weekend and on into this week interviewing family, friends and acquaintances of Ross T. Ashley, 22, in order to piece together his movements and actions leading up to the murder of Virginia Tech Police Officer Deriek W. Crouse.

Despite investigators’ non-stop pursuit of this case, there still remains no prior connection or contact between Ashley and Officer Crouse. The Virginia State Police High-Tech Crimes Unit has been extensively reviewing Officer Crouse’s in-car camera video and surveillance video from on and off the campus. State police have secured surveillance video that does place Ashley at a local retail store in the Town of Blacksburg on Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 7).

The .40-caliber, semi-automatic handgun used in both shootings was legally purchased by Ashley from a licensed, Virginia gun dealer. He purchased the weapon in January 2011. (For more information on Virginia law pertaining to the purchase of a handgun, go to http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_PurchaseEligibility.shtm )

*Timeline (Please note that times are approximate)*

12/7/11 – 11:25 a.m. – At gunpoint, Ashley steals a 2011 white Mercedes SUV from Gilbert Real Estate in the 600 block of Calhoun Street in the City of Radford.

12/7/11 – 12:11 p.m. – City of Radford Police issue multi-state teletype message to law enforcement for a “Be on the Lookout” for the stolen Mercedes SUV.

12/7/11 – Later that afternoon, surveillance video places Ashley inside a Town of Blacksburg retailer. This video was not discovered by investigators until Thursday Dec. 8 – when they were conducting their investigation into the murder-suicide.

12/8/11 – 9:30 a.m. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) notifies Blacksburg Police of an abandoned vehicle parked on a gravel drive near the VTTI complex. Police immediately respond, confirm the vehicle is the stolen Mercedes SUV and notify Radford Police.

12/8/11 – 12:15 p.m. –Virginia Tech Police Officer Deriek W. Crouse has stopped a car in the Coliseum parking lot along Washington Street near the intersection of Spring Road. Officer Crouse is seated inside his unmarked patrol car when Ashley approaches the officer and fatally shoots him. Ashley then flees on foot from the scene.

12/8/11 – 12:45 p.m. – As law enforcement search the campus for the shooting suspect, a Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff spots a male pedestrian walking by himself in the “Cage” parking lot along Duck Pond Drive. As the deputy drives towards the man, he momentarily loses sight of him. When the deputy finally reaches the subject, the man is on the ground and deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

12/8/11 5:20 p.m. – Outside of the Greenhouses, police recover a backpack containing a wool cap and pullover worn by Ashley at the time of Officer Crouse’s shooting. At this stage of the investigation, state police investigators have found no connection between Ashley and a handwritten message on the wall of one of the Greenhouses.

The Virginia State Police, with the assistance of local and federal law enforcement, have executed search warrants during the course of the investigation. Because this is still an ongoing investigation, the warrants remain sealed at this time.

Virginia State Police has been assisted during the course of this active investigation by the Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford City police departments, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and Secret Service.

Feds bust alleged cigarette trafficking ring

Defendants Allegedly Acquired More Than $33 Million in Contraband Cigarettes

From a release:

A Federal Grand Jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg has indicted dozens of individuals for conspiring to traffic in contraband cigarettes, money laundering and a variety of related charges.

The defendants were charged by the grand jury in four separate indictments returned under seal on February 17, 2011, August 3, 2011 and October 6, 2011. Those indictments were unsealed earlier this week following the arrest and initial court appearances by the defendants.

The charges are the result of a three-year investigation by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Virginia and the District of South Carolina, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the indictments, the defendants acquired untaxed cigarettes in the Western District of Virginia and transported them for distribution in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York. Members of the conspiracy are accused of buying more than $33 million in contraband cigarettes from undercover federal agents during the life of the conspiracy.

The Grand Jury has charged the following individuals:

February 17, 2011:

Bach Tuyet Tran, 58, of Winchester, Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes; 44 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes; 36 counts of money laundering-promotion; 19 counts of money launder- promotion, concealment and avoiding reporting requirement; and 41 counts of money laundering-transactions greater than $10,000.

August 3, 2011:

Cheng Zeng, 27, of Hedgesville, W.Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarette and launder money; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and 22 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes.

Mushtaq Ahmad, 34, Strasburg, Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes and launder money; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and three counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes.

August 3, 2011:

Mohammad Syed Lone Kashmiri, 47, of Berryville, Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes and launder money; 98 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes; 98 counts of money laundering-promotion; and 14 counts of money laundering-spending.

Farhat Jabeen Lone Kashmiree, 49, of Berryville, Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes and launder money; 98 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes; 98 counts of money laundering-promotion; and 14 counts of money laundering-spending.

Farman Ali, 36, of Berryville, Va., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes and launder money; 98 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes; 98 counts of money laundering-promotion; and 14 counts of money laundering-spending.

Malik Ashfir, 43, Bay Shore, N.Y., was charged with one count of conspiracy to sell contraband cigarettes and launder money; 98 counts of purchasing and receiving contraband cigarettes; 98 counts of money laundering-promotion; and 14 counts of money laundering-spending.

October 6, 2011:

Anjay Patel, 35, of Spatanburg, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; trafficking in contraband cigarettes; and money laundering charges.

Joseph Emmanuel, 38, of Mauldin, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; conspiracy to dispose of cigarettes and not pay federal tax; conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit state tax stamps; trafficking in counterfeit cigarettes; sale or receipt of stolen goods; and money laundering charges.

Viresh Patel, 42, of Moore, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; trafficking in contraband cigarettes; and money laundering charges.

Purvinkumar Patel, 32, of Spartanburg, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; trafficking in contraband cigarettes; and money laundering charges.

Preston McCurley, 26, place of residence not available, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; conspiracy to dispose of cigarettes and not pay federal tax; conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit state tax stamps; trafficking in counterfeit cigarettes; sale or receipt of stolen goods; and money laundering charges.

Chris Moneyhan, 36, of Spartanburg, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes; conspiracy to commit money laundering; trafficking in contraband cigarettes; and money laundering charges.

Shilpaben Patel, 43, of Spartanburg, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Boss Ramsey, 30, of Cowpens, S.C., was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Phil White, age and place of residence unavailable, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes.

The investigation of the case was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeb Terrien and Ronald Huber of the Western District of Virginia and are prosecuting the case for the United States with substantial assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

A Grand Jury indictment 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.

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Two accused of stealing copper from foreclosed home

Front Royal police responded to a reported breaking and entering in progress on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at approximately 11:58 am at a residence located in the 1300 block of Queens Highway.

Officers were advised that subjects were stealing copper out of a foreclosed home. Upon arrival, the officers located a vehicle, matching the description given, a short distance from the residence and stopped it. The officers observed several pieces of copper tubing in the bed of the pickup truck that had been cut. Two subjects in the pickup truck were detained and subsequently each was charged with Burglary and Grand Larceny.

The subjects were identified as 18 year old Norman Frederick Kerns, 3rd of John Marshall Highway, Front Royal and 26 year old Ryan Jonathan Moore of South Royal Avenue, Front Royal. Both subjects were being held without bond pending their appearances in the Warren County General District Court.

From a release.

No fun Halloween for teen ‘slingshot’ vandals

By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report

In a press release, perhaps ironically issued on Halloween, Oct. 31st, the Front Royal Police announced charges in the Oct. 13 vandalism spree that left about 70 town homes and vehicles damaged. That press release states in its entirety:

“The Front Royal Police have obtained numerous charges in relation to a vandalism spree which occurred in the town on the evening of Oct. 13. Multiple misdemeanor charges and seven felony charges were obtained against each of the two juveniles who were identified and confessed to the crimes.

“The Front Royal Police Department has worked with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the Warren County Juvenile Intake Office, the victims, the juveniles, and their parents to come to a possible resolution to this senseless crime. They will be facing over $20,000 in restitution involved in this vandalism spree and the juveniles will have to face many of the charges in court,” stated Richard H. Furr, Chief of Police.

“Good police work by the members of the Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division brought this case to a close quickly, but not before approximately 70 different incidents of vandalism had occurred. This was a senseless crime that not only caused lots of people time and money, but also made many people fearful in the safety of their homes,” added Furr. “The juveniles will be appearing before the Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to answer to these charges.”

Since the court hearings are likely to be closed while the cases are being treated as juvenile offenses, no date for those hearings was given.

rogerb@warrencountyreport.com

Illinois man facing life in jail for recording police (Video)

The unbelievable case of Michael Allison, an Illinois mechanic facing multiple felony counts for recording on-duty police is analyzed by attorney Thomas H. Sayre, Lynchburg Times political writer Emily Williams and newspaper publisher Dan McDermott.

It is another disturbing example of police using wiretap laws to stop citizens from using camera phones to record their behavior.

Other topics include:

- Netflix losing some content
- U.S. car sales up. Signal for rosier future?

Riverton Commons Wal-mart bank robbed

Suspect in security film from Wal-mart’s Woodforest National Bank

Broad daylight robbery did little to slow afternoon shopping

By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report

Authorities are looking for a suspect in an early afternoon robbery of the Woodforest National Bank inside the Riverton Commons Wal-mart on Friday, Aug. 12.

Security camera photos released by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office show a black male, described as 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds. The suspect was wearing black T-shirt and khaki shorts and khaki ball cap when he approached a teller at 12:50 PM and passed a note demanding money.

After receiving an amount of money not being specified by authorities at this time, the suspect exited the store.

Authorities are seeking information on both the man pictured in the security film and a two-door, dark-colored car with a dark convertible top believed involved in the getaway.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lieutenant Magalis or Sergeant Foster at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office 540-635-7100 or 540-635-4128.

(Info from a release)

Banking “that way” was probably not what the Riverton Commons Wal-mart in-store bank had in mind with its “Banking Your Way … Every Day and Night!” slogan.

Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies staked out the Wal-mart parking lot immediately after Aug. 12 bank robbery. Suspect is believed to have fled in a dark, 2-door, dark top convertible.

Wanna buy a watch? Bentonville store merchandise seized

By Dan McDermott
Warren County Report

An investigation by three Virginia law enforcement agencies and a private Richmond merchandise consultant has determined that the Rolex watches being sold at a rural Bentonville gas station for 6 cents on the dollar are, in fact, counterfeit.

More bad news: apparently the same applies to the Louis Vuitton bags and other name brand items seized June 17 from Foodway Supermarket, located at 2868 Stonewall Jackson Highway.

According to a release from Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron, investigators found apparel labeled as Nike, Lacoste and other top-selling names during their sweep of the store and managers’ apartment. Authorities also seized $15,000 in genuine cash.

If the items that were confiscated in the seizure would have been authentic, the retail value would be over $579,000. The items that were seized were being sold for approximately $35,000 collectively, according to the release.

A popular store in the southern Warren area known more for its hot lunches than designer accessories, Foodway is owned by Manish Desai of Northern Va., according to Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Sgt. G. T. Foster.

“This is an ongoing national problem,” said Sheriff McEathron, who indicated that Blazer Investigations was used as a consultant to determine which merchandise was fake.

The sheriff’s office was also assisted by investigators from the Northwest Regional Task Force and Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

From the Sheriff: The sale of counterfeit merchandise is a violation of state and federal law. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information in this case is asked to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 540 635-7100 or by Crime Tips email at www.warrencountysheriff.org

Dan McDermott: dan@mcdermottreport.com

Fauquier County man charged with attempted capital murder of Warren County deputy

A Fauquier County man faces attempted capital murder of a police officer following a shooting May 4, 2011, in Warren County. Tony L. Baird, 45, of Warrenton, was released from UVA Hospital in Charlottesville at approximately 5 p.m. Monday (May 16). UVA Police took Baird into custody and charged him with four felony warrants stemming from a shooting incident involving the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Virginia State Police have charged Baird with attempted capital murder of a police officer, assault and battery of a police officer, destruction of property and eluding police. Baird is now being held without bond at the Albemarle County Jail pending extradition to Warren County.

Shortly before 2 a.m. on May 4, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received an “attempt to locate” bulletin from Fauquier County about a suicidal subject, Tony L. Baird, operating a blue GMC pickup truck. Warren County deputies located the vehicle about an hour later in the area of Highway 340 and Chapman Farm Road. As the deputies attempted to make contact with Baird, he refused to comply and put his pickup truck in reverse and rammed it into one of the deputy’s patrol cars. Baird then put the pickup truck in drive and rapidly accelerated towards a second deputy’s patrol car as the deputy was standing next to it. The deputy fired on the pickup truck in attempt to stop Baird from running him over. Baird narrowly missed the deputy and the patrol car and fled the scene. The pickup truck ended up crashing into a large rock formation.

Deputies removed him from the vehicle without further incident and he was transported to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville for treatment of a gunshot wound to the arm.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office Police Shooting Team investigated the shooting at the request of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. The investigator’s findings have been turned over to the Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney for final determination.

- Joint release from Virginia State Police & Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Front Royal man arrested following copper theft

In the late evening hours of May 17, 2011, Front Royal Police arrested David Allen Bowden, 19, of Front Royal in reference to the theft of copper wire from the Town of Front Royal Electric Department. The arrest was a culmination of teamwork between personnel in the Detective Division and Patrol Division of the police department.

Due to the high volume of copper theft in the region, police personnel were conducting surveillance at the electric department in the 500 block of East 6th Street when they observed Bowden shoot out an exterior light with a pellet gun, cut pieces of barbed wire from a fence and enter a secured parking area of the electric department. Once entry was gained, Bowden removed several spools of copper wire from service trucks in the lot and attempted to leave the area with the copper when confronted by police personnel. Bowden was apprehended in the area after a short foot chase by officers. Bowden has been charged with two felony counts including Grand Larceny and Larceny with the Intent to Sell or Distribute. He is also charged with two misdemeanor counts including Criminal Trespass and Destruction of Property. Bowden is currently being held at the Warren County Jail with no bond pending court proceedings. Anyone with additional information in relation to this offense is encouraged to contact Detective Jason Lethcoe with the Criminal Investigations Division at 540-636-2208.

- From a release

Va. State Police investigate fatal shootings in Buchanan County

By Corinne Geller
Virginia State Police

[Correction: Grundy National Bank is not taking the donations. The “Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Memorial Fund for Deputies” will now be administered through the Sheriff’s Office at PO Box 970 Grundy , VA 24614]

RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police is continuing its investigation into Sunday’s shooting incident that seriously injured two Buchanan County Deputy Sheriffs, and claimed the lives of two other Buchanan County Deputy Sheriffs. The assailant, Randy Gilbert Newberry, 52, of Vansant, was also shot and killed.

At approximately 3 p.m. Sunday (March 13, 2011), the owner of Rogers Service Center, a salvage business, on Route 620 in Vansant called 911 concerning a larceny in progress on his property. Upon arriving at the business, two Buchanan County Deputy Sheriffs Eric Dwayne Rasnake and Shane Earl Charles began their search for the larceny suspect, Newberry, and investigating the larceny. Within minutes, the two deputies were shot multiple times from a distance by a high-powered rifle. Both were able to crawl to a nearby residence in attempt to take cover and call for help.

Additional sheriff’s deputies and the Virginia State Police responded immediately to the scene. As a perimeter was being established to contain and search for the active shooter, Deputy Sheriffs Cameron Neil Justus and William Ezra Stiltner were shot and killed by a high-powered rifle.

At this point, the shooter left his hiding place on the ridge in the wood-line and ran to another nearby residence about a quarter of a mile up the road from the salvage business. Police tracked Newberry to the house and found him in the front yard talking on cell phone. They repeatedly told him to put up his hands and get on the ground. Newberry stayed on the cell phone with his back to the officers and ignored their commands. When he did turn around he pulled out and aimed a handgun at the officers. He was subsequently shot. Newberry died at the scene.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office is conducting the investigation into the incidents. A search of the area around the business revealed Newberry’s sniper location on a ridge in the wood-line overlooking the property. Multiple cartridge casings from a high-powered rifle were recovered at that location. Several police vehicles at the scene of the salvage property had also been shot.

Virginia State Police, Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and FBI responded to the scene Sunday to assist with the search and investigation.

Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff Cameron Neil Justus, 41, of Hurley, Va., and Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff William Ezra Stiltner, 46, of Maxie, Va., both died at the scene. A 10-year veteran of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Justus is survived by a wife, daughter, and step-son. A seven-year veteran of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Stiltner is survived by a wife and two children.

Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff Eric Dwayne Rasnake, 32, of Jewell Ridge, Va., remains in ICU at the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tenn. Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff Shane Earl Charles, 25, of Maxie, Va., is being treated at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. Both deputies are listed in critical condition.

A “Deputy Relief Fund” has been set up to aid all four of the victims and their families through the Grundy National Bank. Please contribute by mailing a donation to PO Box 970 Grundy , VA 24614.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office has 33 sworn officers, with a total of 46 sworn and civilian employees. The last time a Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff was killed in the line of duty was approximately 40 years ago.

The public is invited to attend a candlelight vigil Monday night, March 14, at the Buchanan County Courthouse in Grundy at 7 p.m. Local churches will also be open to the public for those in need of support.

A version ofthis story originally appeared on McDermottReport.com