2018 – Bedford County Sheriff's Office

Scam Alert!

December 19, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
December 19, 2018

SCAM ALERT

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous calls from citizens who report they had received a message on their voice mail from a person identifying himself as Deputy Mike Denton with the Bedford County Sheriff Office. He tells them to call 540-707-4070, Ext. 4. When the person calls that number the caller receives an automated voice message stating the caller had reached the Sheriff’s Office. The caller enters ext. 4 and a man answers the phone and identifies himself as Deputy Mike Denton. The man instructs the caller to go and purchase a gift card and give him the number on the card over the phone.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office does not employ a Mike Denton. This is a scam!!!!!!

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

PA Man Arrested in Connection with Ongoing Investigation Related to Crimes Against Children

December 19, 2018

The following subject was arrested on December 14th, 2018 in connection with an ongoing Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (SOVA-ICAC) investigation.

Lawrence W Henry Jr, 46 years of age, of Normalville, PA was arrested by Investigators assigned to the SOVA-ICAC when he traveled to Bedford County in furtherance of the crime. Member agencies that participated in the operation were the Town of Bedford Police Department and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. Additional support was provided by the Bedford County Vice Unit.

Henry is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority in Bedford on the following charges:

(7) counts of 18.2-374.3 -Use of a communication device to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

Seeking Help Identifying Quick Mart Shoplifting Suspect

December 12, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
December 11, 2018

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a shoplifting suspect.

On Friday November 23, 2018, a black male wearing a red hoodie and believed to be in his 40’s shoplifted several items from the Quick Mart located on Moneta Road. The suspect is believed to be traveling in a black Dodge Nitro.

Anyone with information on this crime can call the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or go online to http://cvcrimestoppers.org. Enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Huddleston Man Arrested and Charged with Aggravated Sexual Battery

December 5, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
December 5, 2018

On October 22, 2018, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of possible sex offenses. The investigation into the complaint revealed the alleged offenses occurred between 1994 and 2010.

On December 4, 2018, Carl U. Wheeler, age 86, of Huddleston was arrested and charged with three aggravated sexual battery charges. He is being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Bedford without bond.

CARL U. WHEELER

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Man Charged With Counterfeiting

November 26, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
November 26, 2018

On Saturday November 23, 2018, Bedford County 911 received a call from a business in Forest reporting they had received a counterfeit $100.00 bill from a black male described as being skinny and having two gold teeth. While the deputy was at the business taking the complaint, 911dispatchers began receiving multiple calls from Forest businesses reporting that they had received a counterfeit $100.00 bill from a black male.

With the assistance of the Virginia State Police, Bedford County Sheriff’s Deputies located the suspect exiting a business in the Forest area. The suspect was identified as Ronzay Buckner, age 19, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was arrested and transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Bedford. He was charged with ten counts of counterfeiting. He was also charged with being a fugitive from justice in Indiana for several counterfeiting charges.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Secret Service and made them aware of the arrest.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

RONZAY BUCKNER

Two Men Arrested on Felony Property Damage and Trespassing Charges

November 8, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
November 7, 2018

On Friday November 2, 2018, Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Chance E. Taylor, age 18, and Austin J. Andrews, age 18. Both men were charged with felony {+$1,000} property damage and trespassing at Liberty Middle School on Thursday evening November 1, 2018.

On Wednesday November 7, 2018, a juvenile male was charged with trespassing on school property relating to the same incident.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Deputy Placed on Administrative Leave Pending Investigation

November 5, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
November 5, 2018
(For Immediate Release)

On Thursday October 11, 2018, this office received a complaint containing accusations against Cpl. Daniel Clark and his behavior with a juvenile. Within an hour of receiving the complaint Cpl. Daniel Clark was placed on administrative leave with pay and the Virginia State Police was contacted with our request to investigate these accusations.

The Virginia State Police is currently conducting an investigation.
No other information will be released until the investigation is completed by the VSP.

Release prepared by Sheriff Mike Brown

Missing Bedford Man

October 16, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
October 16, 2018

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking the public’s assistance in locating Charles Howard Smith. On Friday October 5, 2018, Charles Howard Smith was reported missing by family members. Mr. Smith, age 58, of Bedford was last seen in the Body Camp area of Bedford County on Tuesday October 2, 2018. Mr. Smith is approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall, 145 pounds. He has brownish grey hair and brown eyes.

Anyone having information on his whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or go online to http://cvcrimestoppers.org. Enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

Charles H. Smith

Original Press Release:October 7, 2018

On Friday October 5, 2018, Charles Howard Smith was reported missing by family members. Mr. Smith, age 58, of Bedford was last seen in the Body Camp area of Bedford County on Tuesday October 2, 2018. Mr. Smith is approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall, 145 pounds. He has brownish grey hair and brown eyes.

Anyone having information on his whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call Bedford County Sheriff’s Investigator Jon Maddox at 586-7827. Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or go online to http://cvcrimestoppers.org. Enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Shooting Investigation

October 15, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

October 15, 2018

UPDATE

At 11:00 p.m. Sunday night Travis Howell called 911 and advised Timothy Howell, his father, had broken into his home. After entering the house, Howell went into the bedroom of Elizabeth Wilson, age 59, and killed her. Wilson is Travis Howell’s mother-in-law. Travis, age 29, said he heard a noise and when he went to check he encountered Timothy, age 51, carrying a hand gun and two long guns. A struggle occurred between the two and Timothy was shot and killed in the struggle.

During the investigation of the crime scene, investigators learned Wilson was stabbed multiple times. Although there were others in the residence at the time, no one else was injured during this incident.

Due to previous incidents between the parties involved, there was an active protective order against Timothy Howell ordering him to have no contact with any of the parties.

The investigation of this incident is ongoing.

Shooting Investigation

October 15, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

October 15, 2018

At 11:00 p.m. Sunday night, Bedford County 911 received a call from East Lois Court reporting a shooting. Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and found a male and female deceased in the home. Deputies are not searching for a suspect. The investigation into this incident continues.