A report of suspicious activity by Rockbridge County Sheriff Tony McFaddin earlier this year started an investigation that has resulted in the arrest of a couple from Natural Bridge.
According to a press release from the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, on March 20, Sheriff McFaddin, while en route to another incident, observed a vehicle pulling a trailer loaded with logs was parked along U.S. 11 near Reservation Loop in the southern part of the county, with “several individuals” standing nearby.
McFaddin requested deputies respond to investigate as the “situation appeared suspicious” due to timber thefts having been reported in the area.
Deputy Stanley Tomlin responded to the scene and made contact with the individuals and was told that the trailer had a mechanical failure that they were attempting to repair. Tomlin provided assistance and cleared the scene, but both he and McFaddin “believed the circumstances were suspicious and initiated a follow-up investigation.”
Several other deputies assisted Tomlin with the investigation, which revealed that the timber on the trailer, along with some additional timber, had been stolen from private property and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) property in the area.
A search warrant was obtained and executed at the suspects’ residence, resulting in the seizure of numerous pieces of evidence. A consulting forester estimated the value of the stolen timber at approximately $103,000. VDOT also reported approximately $8,000 in damage to fences and other VDOT property.
Eric Lee Broughman, 41, and Jessica Belle Broughman, 45, both of Parsons Lane in Natural Bridge, were arrested on Monday of last week.
Eric Broughman is currently being held at the Rockbridge Regional Jail on an $8,000 bond. He has been charged with six felonies: two counts of timber larceny, two counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, one count of obtaining money under false pretenses and one count of destruction of property. A preliminary hearing on those charges has been scheduled for July 15 in Rockbridge County General District Court.
Jessica Broughman has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit larceny and was released on a $5,000 bond Tuesday. A hearing regarding her attorney arrangements has been scheduled for June 5 in Rockbridge County General District Court.
ERIC BROUGHMAN
JESSICA BROUGHMAN
