Rockbridge Regional Drug Task Force

03/16/2026

👀👀👀

02/21/2026

SIX ARRESTED IN INVESTIGATION ALLEGING 100 POUNDS OF DRUGS TRAFFICKED IN ROCKBRIDGE

Rockbridge County, VA – Six individuals have been charged and arrested for their involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

These arrests are the result of coordinated efforts by the Office of the Sheriff for Rockbridge County and Lexington City, the Buena Vista Police Department, the Offices of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Lexington-Rockbridge and Buena Vista, and the James River Regional Drug Task Force.

This operation is part of ongoing initiatives led by Sheriff Tony McFaddin and partner agencies aimed at reducing drug-related and violent crime in our community.

“The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office is committed to reducing drug-related crime,” said Sheriff McFaddin. “With the help of the James River Regional Drug Task Force and our local law enforcement partners, we have increased the number of drug cases referred for prosecution and will continue to do so in our ongoing effort to make our community safer.”

Sheriff McFaddin added:
“Drug traffickers who choose to operate here should understand that we are working together, sharing intelligence, and actively pursuing those who profit from addiction. If you bring drugs into our community, you will be investigated, charged, and held accountable.”

He further emphasized the broader impact:
“The distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine devastates lives and tears families apart. We are seeing the consequences across Virginia, and we refuse to allow our community to become a safe haven for those who profit from addiction. Enforcement and prevention remain central to our strategy.”

Sheriff McFaddin concluded:
“Let this serve as a clear message — if you choose to traffic drugs in our jurisdiction, we will find you. We are using every available investigative resource, and we will continue to build strong cases that hold offenders accountable in court.”
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Individuals Charged:

Lee Davis, Jr., of Lynchburg, VA
• §18.2-248 – Distribution of Methamphetamine (3rd or subsequent offense)
• §18.2-248 – Distribution of Methamphetamine
• §§18.2-248 / 18.2-256 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine Mixture

Sheena Lewis, of Buena Vista
• §18.2-248 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (2 counts)
• §§18.2-248 / 18.2-256 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine Mixture

Charlie Byers, of Buena Vista
• §18.2-248 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (2 counts)
• §§18.2-248 / 18.2-256 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine Mixture

Kiana Whitesell, of Rockbridge County
• §18.2-248 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
• §40.1-103 – Child Endangerment

Maxwell Richerson, of Buena Vista
• §18.2-248 – Distribution of Methamphetamine (3rd or subsequent offense)
• §§18.2-248 / 18.2-256 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine Mixture

Amanda Riddle, of Rockbridge County
• §18.2-248 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (3rd or subsequent offense)
• §18.2-248 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
• §§18.2-248 / 18.2-256 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine Mixture
________________________________________

The investigation into this distribution network remains active and ongoing. Those charged are facing potential sentences related to the distribution of various quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Based on information obtained during the investigation, members of this alleged conspiracy collectively trafficked approximately one hundred pounds of illegal narcotics over the past several months for redistribution in Buena Vista and Rockbridge County.

The case is being investigated by the James River Regional Drug Task Force in partnership with the Office of the Sheriff for Rockbridge County and Lexington City and the Buena Vista Police Department.

The James River Regional Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Office of the Sheriff for Rockbridge County and Lexington City, Buena Vista Police Department, Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Bedford Police Department, and the Virginia State Police.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices for Buena Vista and Rockbridge County/Lexington are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A criminal complaint or indictment is merely an allegation and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Office of the Sheriff for Rockbridge County and Lexington City remains committed to its mission: to perform in a manner that promotes public trust, confidence, and a strong sense of safety and security within our community.

# # #

CONTACT:
Tony McFaddin, Sheriff
[email protected]
540-462-5374

02/01/2023

https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/01/31/3-teens-charged-after-student-overdoses-fentanyl-va-school/

The Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office says a 17-year-old female student was found unresponsive at Eastern View High School on Friday.

01/20/2023

That was a good day

05/11/2022

JUST SAY NO

02/12/2022

🇺🇸Rest In Peace friend! We’ll miss you🇺🇸

The officer retired from the Buena Vista Police Department in 2014

02/11/2022

This also applies to Rockbridge County…and probably every other county in Virginia

02/02/2022

12/18/2021

These fake pills are deadly! Do not purchase unknown pills from anyone.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

11/14/2021

11/14/2021

The Wytheville Police Department is sad to report the death of Officer Michael Chandler of the Big Stone Gap Police Department.

November 13th, 2021 7:30pm; Officer Chandler succumbed to his injuries a short time ago after being shot in the line of duty early this morning. Please continue to keep his Family, Department , and the Community in your prayers and thoughts.

Rest In Peace Officer Chandler, Big Stone Gap Police Department.

11/13/2021

VSP Seeking Tips in Shooting of Police Officer - $10K Reward Offered by United States Marshals Service

Local, state and federal law enforcement are continuing to pursue multiple leads related to this morning's early morning shooting of a Town of Big Stone Gap Police Officer.

While on duty, Town of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler stopped out with an individual shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 13) who asked the officer to conduct a welfare check on an individual at a vacant residence in the 2500 block of Orr Street. When Officer Chandler arrived at the residence, he encountered at least one individual. It was during this encounter that Officer Chandler was shot.

A Wise County Sheriff's Office Deputy was first to arrive on scene. Officer Chandler was found lying unconscious in a ditch along the driveway to the residence. His patrol car and another vehicle were both at the scene, but there was no other person at the scene.

The officer was initially transported to Norton Community Hospital and then flown to Johnson City Medical Center, where he is still being treated for life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing at this time, in coordination with The Town of Big Stone Gap Police Department, Wise County Sheriff's Office, Chuck Slemp, Commonwealth's Attorney of Wise County & the City of Norton and the U.S. Marshals Service.

If anyone has any information related to this incident, please contact the Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131 or at [email protected]. The United States Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the location and apprehension of the person who shot Officer Chandler.