17 people from Tazewell County indicted on drug charges

By JIM TALBERT\Staff

“Reformulation has slowed the distribution of oxycontin but pain killers are still the major drug problem in Tazewell County,’ Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Lee said.

Lee and members of the Tazewell County Narcotics Task Force held a press conference Jan. 25 at Tazewell Town Hall. They released the names of 17 people charged in the latest drug round-up in the county.

Lee said the charges range from distribution of marijuana to distribution of morphine. While its use has slowed, six of the 17 individuals were charged with distribution of oxycontin or oxycodone.  While Lee commended Purdue Pharma for changing oxycontin’s formula to stop people from abusing it he said abuse of other drugs has increased.

He said Opana, or Oxymorphone has shown in increasing frequency in recent months. Heroin, cocaine, morphine and alprozolam are among the other drugs officers report seeing on the street.       

Lee said the drug dealers continue to change with the time and find new products. He said officers recently made the first two cases involving “bath salts’ in the county. He cited those and other products as scams designed to get around the law.

“They are very powerful hallucinogenics and have been involved in some of the worst cases our officers have been involved with,’ Lee said. He compared the product to synthetic marijuana which is often sold as incense and marked not for human consumption.

He said officers continue to see the shake and bake meth labs in the county and they cause problems with cleanup as well as drugs. Special agents with the Virginia State Police handle those incidents.

Lee and Sheriff Brian Hieatt both said they believe drug prevention programs may be working.    They cited an increase in the age of those charged as an indication the problem may be slowing among younger people.

[The names of those indicted and what they are charged with is below:]

* NATASHA NICOLE BREWSTER

CEDAR BLUFF, VA

                Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute Alprazolam, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Alprazolam, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance

* RICHARD ANTHONY BROWN

DORAN, VA

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* JAMES CHARLES CHARLTON

TAZEWELL, VA

                Sale or Distribution of Marijuana

* JAMES GARY CLARK

CEDAR BLUFF, VA

                Distribution of Morphine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Three Counts)

                Criminal Solicitation

* WILLIAM CALVIN DUNFORD, JR.

CEDAR BLUFF, VA

                Distribution of Buprenorphine, a Schedule III Controlled Substance

* PAUL WESLEY DYE

RAVEN, VA

                Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

* TIFFANY BROOKE HALL

NORTH TAZEWELL, VA

                Grand Larceny

* JAMES EDWARD HARMON

RICHLANDS, VA

                Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute Alprazolam, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Alprazolam, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance

* TRAVIS PAUL HURD

TAZEWELL, VA

                Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Two Counts)

* IRA DOUGLAS JACKSON, JR.

A/K/A CHUCK JACKSON

RICHLANDS, VA

                Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* LORI JANE KNUCKLES

RAVEN, VA

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* MICHAEL KEITH MEARS

RAVEN, VA

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Second Offense

                Distribution of Methadone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Second Offense

* JOSHUA BRETT PERKINS

RICHLANDS, VA

                Distribution of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* MARSHA RENEE REDMOND

RAVEN, VA

                Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* ROCKY GRAHAM UNDERWOOD

RICHLANDS, VA

            Felony Homicide

            Distribution of Oxymorphone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

* LAWRENCE EVERETTE WARREN

TAZEWELL, VA

                Distribution of Hydromorphone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Attempted Distribution of Hydromorphone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance

                Petit Larceny (Misdemeanor)

* JESS HARPER WHITE

RICHLANDS, VA

                Distribution of Morphine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance