Wednesday, June 10WATCHFUL EYE

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VADOC taking control of Lawrenceville prison from GEO Group in August
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VADOC taking control of Lawrenceville prison from GEO Group in August

VADOC recently confirmed the department is still on track with its takeover plan Lawrenceville Correctional Center is in its final weeks under private management. Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) will assume control of the prison on August 1. VADOC announced its intention to take over the state’s only privately-run prison last December. In a press release earlier this month, the department revealed a VADOC team conducted a shakedown at Lawrenceville and discovered an array of contraband, including drugs, phones, and cash. VADOC added that it is still set to take control of the facility next month. Lawrenceville is currently run by GEO Group, a company that owns, leases, and manages prisons in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa. But Lawrenceville is its only operat...
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VDH ends Lake Anna STEC outbreak investigation, reminds public of swimming advisory
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VDH ends Lake Anna STEC outbreak investigation, reminds public of swimming advisory

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced it has ended its investigation into the Memorial Day STEC outbreak without conclusively linking the illnesses to Lake Anna. As previously reported, there were 25 Shinga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases that appeared linked to visits to Lake Anna around Memorial Day weekend. Five of those cases resulted in children being hospitalized, and the incidents prompted VDH to launch an investigation that included numerous rounds of water testing from various areas around the lake. In its June 20th update, VDH said the lake water “the likely source” of the infections. However, yesterday, July 2nd, VDH said the most recent testing of water samples collected from Lake Anna did not detect the presence of STEC. VDH said fecal bacter...
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In July, Jamestown-Scotland Ferry reducing service
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In July, Jamestown-Scotland Ferry reducing service

Staffing problems are about to lead to service cuts for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, and VDOT is advising people to expect potential delays. The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry carries vehicles, including tractor-trailers, across the James River between James City and Surry counties. The trip across the river takes about 20 minutes. There are four boats in the ferry fleet. Two can carry 70 cars and two boats can carry 50 cars. Typically, the ferry operates 24/7 all 365 days of the year. VDOT announced service reductions are coming. The department said its aiming to maintain 24-hour service “for as long as possible.” But VDOT appears unable to commit to running as many boats. Starting Monday, July 8, VDOT said at least one ferry will keep running 24/7. Then, a second boat will be ...
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Report of gun shots leads to discovery of dead man in Colonial Beach
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Report of gun shots leads to discovery of dead man in Colonial Beach

On Sunday, June 9, Colonial Beach Police Department announced there was a large police presence in the area of Kintz St. and Franklin Ave. due to police working a crime scene. That crime scene, it turns out, was a fatality. In an update on Tuesday, CBPD stated a call for shots fired came in around 12:13 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a Colonial Beach man, 30-year-old Jereamy Pierce lying in the roadway. According to CBPD, EMS personnel declared Pierce dead after they arrived at the scene. CBPD said this appears to be an isolated incident, and added that there’s no known threat to the public. No arrests or suspects have been announced. CBPD said the investigation is still underway and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police have assisted. Ind...
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23-year-old wanted for killing 3 roommates in Virginia caught in New York
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23-year-old wanted for killing 3 roommates in Virginia caught in New York

After a hunt lasting over a day, the triple-murder suspect Alyssa Jane Venable of Spotsylvania, VA was captured in New York. Wednesday, Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office announced 23-year-old Venable was wanted for three counts of 2nd degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. She is accused of killing her roommates who were found Tuesday night at around 10 p.m. in their shared home. Venable and the three victims, each rented a room inside of a brick house in the 10500 block of White Street Court, reported Fox 5 DC. Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office had advised that Venable may be in a 2009 Honda Civic. On June 6th, shortly after 5:30 p.m. New York State troopers attempted to stop a vehicle matching that description, but the car didn’t stop, NY State Police s...
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Police searching for Spotsylvania woman accused of killing 3 people
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Police searching for Spotsylvania woman accused of killing 3 people

A search is underway for a 23-year-old woman accused of killing three people in Spotsylvania. On Tuesday, June 4, Spotsylvania deputies responded to the 10500 block of White Street Court around 10 p.m. for a welfare check. Inside the residence, they found three people dead, the Sheriff’s Office reported. The victims are 77-year-old Robert John McGuire, 60-year-old Gregory Scott Powell, and Carol Anne Reese, age 65. According to SCSO, they all suffered from upper body trauma. And, “It was discovered that a roommate had committed this heinous crime. The suspect was identified as Alyssa Jane Venable.” Venable is wanted for 3 counts of 2nd degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. She is described as being 5’4” and weighing 228 lbs. She has blue eyes ...
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Former Chesapeake & Spotsylvania teacher facing charges for child sex crimes
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Former Chesapeake & Spotsylvania teacher facing charges for child sex crimes

A 31-year-old man who taught in Chesapeake and Spotsylvania is now in jail facing charges in both jurisdictions for child sex offenses. The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office announced it recently filed a charge against Daniel Brian Fleming for taking indecent liberties with a child. That charge stemmed from allegations of inappropriate contact with a juvenile in 2019. According to Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, detectives from the Child Victim Unit opened a criminal case after receiving information from Chesapeake, which already had its investigation of Fleming underway. Chesapeake Police Department stated it received information in January accusing Fleming of being involved with criminal activity involving children, prompting its investigation. From its findings, CPD charged Flemi...
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Arrests, drug busts, cash seizures: Wythe Sheriff says expect more
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Arrests, drug busts, cash seizures: Wythe Sheriff says expect more

In an effort that’s over a month long and counting, Wythe County Sheriff’s Office said they have been targeting “large amounts of methamphetamine and firearms being distributed in Wythe County.” WCSO has been serving search warrants, making arrests, and has seized thousands of dollars along with thousands of grams of illegal drugs. West Monroe St. bust WCSO reported that on April 23, members of the Drug Task Force and Tactical Team executed a search warrant on a West Monroe St. home in Wytheville. In addition to a total of $5,986 gathered from the residence and a vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office said deputies seized: 341 grams of meth 14 grams of cocaine 223 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms Gary Edward McKinney Jr., 35, of Wytheville was arrested and charged with "vario...
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3 shot in Leesburg, Sterling man arrested
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3 shot in Leesburg, Sterling man arrested

One arrest has been made for the Thursday evening shooting that sent three men to the hospital, Leesburg Police Department announced. It was around 7:48 p.m. yesterday when LPD responded to the 800 block of Edwards Ferry Rd. and found three men with gunshot wounds. All were transported to the hospital with injuries LPD described as non-life-threatening. This afternoon, as police were investigating, a report came in that individuals involved in the shooting were back in the 800 block of Edwards Ferry Rd. LPD said officers responded and detained two individuals. So far, Sylvanus Massaquoi,  a 19-year-old Sterling resident, has been arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding. He is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center with no bond, LPD reported. ...
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Richmond man found dead in Caroline County, Investigation underway
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Richmond man found dead in Caroline County, Investigation underway

Federal authorities are working with Caroline Sheriff’s Office on the investigation of a Richmond man found dead last Sunday, May 26. A “startled citizen” called 911 at 11:47 that morning to report finding a dead person in a wooded area along Sparta Rd. near the intersection of Tignor Rd, Caroline Sheriff’s Office reported. Deputies confirmed the death and Caroline forensic investigators along with personnel from the Chief Medical Examiner ‘s Office examined and processed the scene. “Investigators determined that the man likely died as the result of several gunshot wounds,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. Street view of the Sparta & Tignor Rd. intersection (Photo: Google Earth) By Sunday evening, with help from the FBI, the deceased man was identified as 51-year-old Reginal...
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