Michael Jonathan Lewis, 25, and Richie Wayne Slate, 25, both of Flat Rock, were arrested on federal indictments issued on July 22 charging each with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
John Eric Tate, 24, and Jeremy Maxton Cooke, 25, also of Flat Rock, were arrested on federal indictments issued on July 22 charging each with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Tate and Cooke further were charged with one count of distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
“Strategically, we waited a little bit to do this, because we wanted to interview each one of them,” the sheriff said Tuesday in explaining the delay between the indictments and the arrests.
Smith said the four men were active in a large-scale methamphetamine-distribution ring that supplied the Schedule II drug in Surry, Carroll and Patrick counties. The Surry County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Airy Police Department, federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) all assisted the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
“These arrests have made a significant positive impact in our community here in Patrick County as well as in surrounding communities,” Smith said.
Slate, Lewis and Tate are being held on the federal charges in the Roanoke City Jail. Cooke is incarcerated by the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office stemming from state indictments issued in May 2009 on charges of methamphetamine distribution. All four men are awaiting trial in U.S. District Court in Danville.
Sgt. Eric O’Connell, Maj. Garry Brown and Investigator Darrell Rorrer led the investigation.
Post a Comment
