Three Arrested In Drug-Related Cases In County
Three individuals were taken into custody by the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office last month in two separate incidents, both of which have resulted in drug possession charges, as well as several additional charges for each individual, according to releases from the sheriff’s office.
“Drugs tear at the fabric of our community – endangering children, fueling violence, and putting families and neighborhoods at risk,” Sheriff Tony McFaddin told The News-Gazette. “These cases reflect our deputies’ commitment to protecting our citizens and stepping in before more harm is done. With the support of our law enforcement partners, we will continue working proactively to keep drugs out of our communities and make Rockbridge County a safer place to live.”
On Jan. 10, deputies executed a search warrant at an apartment complex off Willow Springs Road. During the search, deputies found Jackson Hall, 29, and Sydney Rowsey, 28, both of Lexington, and a 4-year-old child inside the residence. Deputies also found fentanyl, marijuana, methamphetamine and Xanax in the residence.
Hall was charged with two felony counts of possession of a schedule I or II drug with intent to distribute (one charge for fentanyl, the other for methamphetamine), one felony count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Rowsey was charged with one felony count of possession of a schedule I or II drug (fentanyl), one felony count of child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of possession of a schedule IV drug (Xanax).
Hall has a preliminary hearing on the drug charges scheduled for April 1 in Rockbridge County General District Court, and Rowsey has a hearing regarding attorney arrangements on Feb. 6. The child endangerment and delinquency of a minor charges have been referred to Rockbridge County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. -On Jan. 12, deputies responded to a call of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm on the 200 block of Catawba Street in Glasgow. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, a man was reported leaving the scene in a black SUV while in possession of the firearm.
The vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted. A K9 unit from Buena Vista was dispatched to the scene to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle and provided a positive identification. A subsequent search of the vehicle located the gun, along with ammunition and cocaine.
Quinn Rosser, 38, of Glasgow was taken into custody and charged with five felonies: one count of possession of a schedule I or II drug, one count of possession of a firearm while possessing a schedule I or II drug, one count of possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon within 10 years of conviction, one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for May 1 in Rockbridge County General District Court.
Deputies Assist In I-81 Chase
Deputies with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Virginia State Police and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office with a high-speed chase on Interstate 81 in the early morning hours of Friday, Jan. 30.
The chase began in Augusta County and entered Rockbridge County as the suspect drove south on the interstate, reports indicating that it was “traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and driving erratically,” according to a press release from the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office. Officers with all three agencies “coordinated a controlled response” to stop the vehicle, including deploying tire deflation devices. The vehicle was disabled and the chase was brought “to a safe conclusion” near mile marker 197.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 43-year-old Melissa Lee Mathura, of Mansfield, Ga. She was taken into custody and transported for medical evaluation and is facing charges of eluding police, reckless driving and driving under the influence (second offense within five years) in Augusta County.
No officers were injured during the chase and no injuries to members of the public were reported.
“This incident highlights the importance of strong inter-agency cooperation and disciplined decision making during high-risk situations,” Rockbridge County Sheriff Tony McFaddin said in the press release. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all involved agencies, this pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion and the threat to the public was minimized.”
