18 area residents arrested on 60-plus drug and gun charges

The Piedmont Regional Narcotics and Gang Task Force conducted a multi-day enforcement operation that resulted in 18 individuals being arrested on 63 various felony and misdemeanor charges. Charges include distribution of controlled substances, possession of Schedule I/II narcotics with intent to distribute, conspiracy to sell Schedule I/II narcotics, possession of controlled substances, failure to appear in court, destruction property, probation violations, etc. The charges were all handed up by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury.

On May 18, the Task Force arrested the following individuals in the Town of Farmville and Prince Edward County:

Christopher Ray Lee, 42, of Rustburg, Va.

Samuel E. Gaines, 36, Prospect, Va.

Courtney E. Benson, 31, of Rice, Va.

Jamie L. Johnson, 39

William A. Johnson, 35, of Meherrin, Va.

Delanta E. Harvey, 27, of Howardsville, Va.

Shaina J. Riddle of Pamplin, Va.

Shawtay S. Brooks, 44, of Rice, Va.

Shawn C. Paige, 50, of Rice, Va.

Melody M. Bigelow, 33, of Farmville, Va.

From May 17, 2022 through May 20, 2022, the Task Force took the following individuals into custody in Buckingham County:

Bennett L. McKay Jr., 38, of Meherrin, Va.

Angel Torres Jr., 49, of Farmville, Va.

Kevin Shumaker, 51, of Dillwyn, Va.

James D.S. Murphy, 30, of Farmville, Va.

Brent S. Franklin, 31, of Dillwyn, Va.

Amanda S. Jamerson, 27, Dillwyn, Va.

Timothy Randolph Jr., 32, of Cumberland, Va.

On May 19, 2022, Jonathan L. Randolph, 35, of Farmville, Va. was taken into custody in Cumberland County.

The Piedmont Regional Narcotics and Gang Task Force is comprised of narcotics investigators and special agents from the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office, Farmville Police Department, Buckingham County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office.