Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
The police force in Craig County is working diligently to keep the citizens safe and able to sleep in peace, as they track down people who are breaking the law and endangering others.
According to Sheriff Trevor Craddock, there are eight persons, with 26 charges, whose indictments were sent down from the General District Court on September 9. They include:
•One suspect with possession of firearm after having been convicted of a non-violent felony
•One suspect with possession of a schedule I or II substance
•One suspect with possession of methamphetamine
•Two suspects with two counts each of felony abuse and neglect of children. 18.2-37.1(A) and 18.2-371.(B)
•One suspect with possession of a schedule I and II substance and possession of marijuana; commit larceny after having been convicted of two or more larceny offenses; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute over one-half ounce, but no greater than five pounds; possession of a schedule I or II substance methamphetamine and operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license
•One suspect breaking and entering a dwelling house; attempt to steal a motor vehicle; steal property valued at less than $500; commit larceny with a value of $500 or more; and breaking and entering a building
•One suspect stealing property valued less than $500; destroy or deface or damage personal property; trespassing; two counts of stealing a firearm.
There are eight individuals, with 30 offenses that have direct indictments, which Craig County Circuit Court returned true bills for the cases on September 9.
•Two suspects were charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute over one-half ounce but no greater than five pounds; manufacturing marijuana not for personal use; intentional possession of a firearm while committing illegal possession of more than one pound of marijuana; intentionally aiding another person in concealing a firearm knowing the firearm to be stolen; two counts to conspire to commit an offense defined in Chapter 7, Article I of the code of VA. VA Code 18.2-247 or in the Drug Control ACT 54.1-3400
•Multiple suspects were charged with possession of methamphetamine; illegal possession of drug paraphernalia
•One suspect charged with possession of methamphetamine. Illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. Possession of less than ten forged banknotes as mentioned in the VA Code 18.2-170 knowing the same to be forged with intent to utter or employ the same as true or to sell, exchange or deliver them so as to enable any other person to utter or employ them as true. Possession of marijuana
•One suspect charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine; illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of less than ten forged banknotes as mentioned in VA Code 18.2-170 knowing the same to be forged with intent to utter or employ the same as true or to sell, exchange or deliver them so as to enable any other person to utter or employ them as true
Sheriff Craddock explained that once the true bill is obtained from the Grand Jury, they will issue the papers and the persons will be formally charged under the direct indictments before they are scheduled to go straight to Circuit Court.
He added, “One of the biggest hurdles these people face is being able to afford treatment. The largest hurdle is to start over and need to get away from the people they are around. If they could make a clean break, many would succeed, but most people don’t have the resources to do that.”
Sherriff Craddock also stressed the fact that the force is always trying to help those that they can and encourages anyone to call the office and report any suspicious activity. The Sheriff explained that it is an extremely small percentage of people who are involved in their calls.
“Overall, Craig County is still a safe place to live,” Craddock noted. “We are not without problems here but, as a whole, we are better off than many people in other places.”
