The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland Police Department concluded a summer initiative to rid the area of street level drug dealers and address community concerns of narcotics trafficking in the greater Ashland area. Over the last month, 48 drug-related indictments have been obtained on 16 individuals. Only one individual remains wanted. All others indicted have been arrested.

Arrested for distribution of narcotics were: William A. Brown, 29; Lateaka E. Turner, 24; Albert Garrtrell, 49; Rodney O. Harris, 29; Crystal N. Harris, 27; Erika L. Hopkins, 24; Abbott D. Moore, 43; Andrea E. Sessoms, 33; Emmitt L. Morris, 35; Robert L. Lenear Jr., 42; Dupree L. Mines, 24; Peter o. Shelton, 29; Tyran R. Tillman, 26; Herman A. Toliver, 24;and Darrell L. Toliver, 24. Many of the charges involved distribution of narcotics within a school zone.

Currently wanted by the Ashland Police Department and the US Marshals Service is Travis W. Morris, 26. Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Morris is urged to contact the Ashland Police Department at (804) 798-1227 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

“Those arrested operated criminal enterprises throughout central and western Hanover County and not only impacted the quality of life of those within the Town of Ashland limits, but contributed to a variety of criminal behavior associated with illegal drug distribution activities. This enforcement activity is not unlike other initiatives in place with the Sheriff’s Office to do everything possible to detect and arrest drug dealers and send a clear message that this activity will not be tolerated in Hanover County. I would also like to thank Commonwealth’s Attorney, Trip Chalkley for his assistance in preparing these cases for presentation before the Multijurisdictional Grand Jury. Lastly I would like to thank the Henrico Division of Police for their cooperation and resources during the arrest phase of this operation,” said Colonel David R. Hines, Sheriff of Hanover County.

This operation was the culmination of extensive investigations conducted by the two agencies which was an initiative based on complaints from community members in select areas. Several of the individuals involved were charged with distribution of narcotics in a school zone.

Chief Doug Goodman of the Ashland Police Department said, “This operation was a fine example of the level of partnership that exists between the Ashland Police Department, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office. We will continue to work with all of our community partners, especially our Neighborhood Watch programs, to provide for our Town’s safety and security. Especially the safety of our children and improve the quality of life in the Town of Ashland.”

James Shelhorse
Lieutenant
Public Information Officer
Ashland Police Department