Latest news with #AugustaCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Yahoo
Multi-vehicle crash during police pursuit results in jail time for Stuarts Draft man
A man who triggered a multi-vehicle pileup during a brief high-speed police chase in Fishersville last November pleaded guilty in Augusta County Circuit Court to five charges. Justin R. Harvey, 37, of Stuarts Draft, was convicted on Aug. 4 of felony eluding, possession of a Schedule I or II drug, reckless driving (by speed), operating an uninsured vehicle, and driving under the influence. On Nov. 18, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office reported that a deputy spotted an Acura driven by Harvey that failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection of Ramsey Road and Tinkling Spring Road in Fishersville. The deputy attempted to make a stop but Harvey continued driving at a high-rate of speed, north on Tinkling Spring Road and then onto Jefferson Highway. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said Harvey ran into a curb and the deputy tried pinning the Acura with his vehicle, making contact. However, Harvey managed to continue, running red lights and weaving in and out of traffic. Court records indicate Harvey also went through several yards. The brief pursuit, which saw speeds exceed 100 mph, ended at the intersection of Long Meadow Road and Jefferson Highway, where the speeding Acura hit another car, resulting in an eight-vehicle crash. The vehicles were waiting at a red light. Augusta County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Holly Rasheed said five people were taken to the hospital for treatment. At the scene, Harvey admitted to having a glass smoking device in the car, according to court records. Residue on the pipe field-tested positive for methamphetamine. At the time of the pursuit, Harvey was wanted in Waynesboro for a December 2023 incident where he was accused of firing a gun in the parking lot of the Waynesboro Walmart on Lucy Lane. No injuries were reported. Most of Harvey's Waynesboro charges went by the wayside in June after the case stalled when two victims of the shooting were previously no-shows for a jury trial, and a third victim passed away. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a non-violent felon. Harvey received no jail time but was ordered into an 18-month drug rehab. Three other felony charges were not prosecuted. In Augusta County Circuit Court, where Harvey pleaded guilty to his most recent charges, he was sentenced to one year in jail. Harvey, who was represented at the hearing by Samuel Thomas of the Staunton Public Defender's Office, will also have another one year and two months added to his sentence if he fails to complete the 18-month in-patient drug rehabilitation program following his release from jail, according to plea agreement. Harvey was also placed on three years of probation. More: National Night Out happening Aug. 5 in Augusta County More: Law change spearheaded by local attorney ends juvenile shackling in courtrooms Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Pursuit that ended in crash nets jail term for Stuarts Draft man
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, Harrisonburg man facing several charges
A Harrisonburg man who was reportedly in a pursuit that involved the Augusta County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police, resulting in a crash on Interstate 81, is in custody and facing several charges. Jamie C. Whitesel, 37, is charged with felony eluding, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while suspended, driving while revoked, illegal use of a crossover, and an unsafe lane change. Whitesel is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. The incident took place shortly before 5 p.m. on June 15. According to Virginia State Police, a state trooper was alerted to a van, possibly stolen, that was headed north on U.S. 11 in Verona. The driver reportedly refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated near the intersection of Va. 612 and U.S. 11, a press release said. The van entered I-81 southbound, where Augusta County deputies deployed spike strips, deflating the van's driver's side rear tire at the 225 mile-marker. The suspect continued to drive and reportedly used the crossover at the 223 mile marker, nearly striking a northbound tractor-trailer before being involved in a collision with a second tractor-trailer, the release said. The collision deflated a front tire, bringing the van to a halt. Whitesel reportedly attempted to flee on foot before he was taken into custody, police said. The incident remains under investigation. More: Play All Day VA, Relay for Shea House, Memory Cafes and safe swimming tips: THE DIGEST More: Waynesboro doctors convicted in theft of mink coat from country club Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, suspect jailed
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sheriff's Office: Churchville man missing
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that a Churchville man is missing. Ronald L. Mitchell, 68, was last seen by a family member on April 30. The agency said Mitchell is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. The release said he is bald with brown eyes. Mitchell could be driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado with Virginia tags of VVK-2243. If anyone has any information about this missing person, contact the Augusta County Sheriff's Office at (540) 245-5333 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-2017. More: Two-vehicle crash sends four to hospital in Augusta County More: Fishersville man's trespassing charges won't be prosecuted Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Sheriff's Office: Churchville man missing
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Sheriff's Office: Authorities searching for escaped probationer in Greenville
GREENVILLE — The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said a probationer escaped from Cold Springs Correctional Unit #10 on Wednesday afternoon in Greenville. At approximately 2:20 p.m., Anthony D. Moreland, 42, escaped the middle-level security facility, located at 192 Spitler Circle. Besides the sheriff's office, Virginia State Police and personnel from the Virginia Department of Corrections joined in the search. Moreland is a Black male and is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, a press release said. He has brown eyes and weighs 135 pounds. "Moreland was last seen heading towards Cold Springs Road, so there will be a large police presence in the area," the sheriff's office said Wednesday afternoon. Do not approach the suspect if spotted and instead call 911, the sheriff's office said. According to the DOC, Cold Springs holds about 113 inmates, and said "the facility's layout encourages both security and reformative practices." More: Staunton School Board, search firm meet to discuss timeline on hiring superintendent More: West Augusta man pleads guilty to being an accessory after the fact in shooting More: Billy Opal relocates in downtown Staunton, planning grand opening celebration: BUSINESS BEAT Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Sheriff's Office: Authorities searching for escapee in Greenville
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Brother of Parkland mass shooter arrested in Virginia, charged with trespassing at three schools
The younger brother of the man behind the 2018 Parkland mass shooting was arrested in Virginia on Tuesday after deputies say he trespassed on multiple school properties after hours, trying to get inside. Zachary P. Cruz, 24, is now charged with three misdemeanor counts of trespassing on school or church property at night, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Facebook. He has since been released from jail. The arrest comes a week before the Feb. 14 anniversary of the Stoneman Douglas massacre that killed 17 people. The investigation began after Cruz 'was observed' on the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Complex in Fishersville, Va., about a half-hour before midnight on Jan. 25, the Sheriff's Office said. The WWRC, which provides services to people with disabilities seeking work, is located next to multiple schools. Deputies, joined by Virginia State Police and the Woodrow Wilson Police Department, reviewed surveillance footage from Augusta County Public Schools and found that, the same night that Cruz went to the rehabilitation center, he visited three schools: Wilson Middle School, Wilson High School, and the Valley Career and Technical Center, all located within the same area, according to the release. The footage depicted Cruz approaching the schools' doors, trying to open them, and 'peering inside,' the release said. Broward Sheriff's Office deputies had previously arrested Cruz on trespassing charges in 2018 after he skateboarded onto the Marjory Stoneman Douglas campus in Parkland a month after the mass shooting. Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in the killings of 17 people and injuring another 17. A former student, like the shooter, he'd been warned to stay off the property, authorities said. He told a deputy he went there because he wanted to 'soak it in.' He was involuntarily hospitalized under Florida's Baker Act. A judge set his bond at $500,000, unheard of for a trespassing charge, out of fears that he could pose a threat to the public like his brother. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six months' probation. Cruz then sought permission to move to Virginia to start anew after the mass shooting and his own run-ins with law enforcement. An organization called Nexus Services had offered him housing at a condo in Staunton, about 20 minutes from Fishersville, a job as a maintenance mechanic, and counseling. Cruz was released from the Middle River Regional Jail Thursday afternoon, according to an update posted by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. 'I understand how troubling this situation has been for you, your families, and our community,' Sheriff Donald Smith wrote in the update. 'The safety and security of all students, staff and community members are our top priorities. I want to assure you this matter is being taken very seriously.' Deputies have 'implemented heightened security measures' around the schools, Smith added, 'including increased law enforcement presence on and around school grounds. Additionally, we are closely monitoring any potential threats and staying in communication with school officials to ensure all necessary precautions are in place.' Information from the Sun Sentinel archives was used in this report. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
