On December 28, 2016 at approximately 1:23 a.m. patrol units responded to a Shots Fired call in the 1900 block of Sierra Drive. Upon arrival, Deputies located two fifteen-year-old males that each had been shot multiple times. They advised they had fled from the suspect who had shot them and gave a description. The suspect was arrested a short time later by Deputy V.M. Galyen, Jr. at the 7-Eleven located at 324 White Oak Road.

The juveniles were treated by Emergency Medical Services and transported to a local hospital.

Karl Heinz Depuy, age 27 of Sierra Drive, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Malicious Wounding, two counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. He is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

This year the “Home for the Holidays” program at the Stafford County Animal Shelter was a smashing success thanks to a wide-ranging community effort. “The fur was flying - right out of the door - as Christmas got closer. A number of stars had to line up perfectly in order to be this successful,” said Denise Spicer, Shelter Manager, for the Stafford Sheriff’s Office.

On December 15, 2016, Dr. Amanda Hurley of White Oak Animal Hospital (identified in the photo below) visited the Stafford shelter with her husband Dave and provided all animals with rabies vaccinations. This is a much needed service which facilitates the foster care for “four-legged” family members. When all the animals were vaccinated the big promotional push began.

Additionally, Megan Hubbard (identified in the photo below) professional photographer/owner of Sunflower Studios Photography (www.SunflowerStudioPhotography.com) was ready to again help the animals put their “best paw forward.” Megan uses her professional photography and design skills to produce much of the shelter’s social media messaging. The beautiful pictures she creates generate a great deal of interest and frequently lead to a shelter visit and adoption.

“The entire shelter staff worked fervently to ensure the success of the program. The campaign was wildly successful and all animals were either permanently adopted or given ‘holiday shelter’ via a foster home,” added Spicer.

The Shelter was nearly empty twice before it closed for the holidays at the end of the day on December 22. As of 12/28/2016 the adoption activity for December was robust.

DOGS:
80 Received
30 Dogs Redeemed (claimed by their owners)
36 Adopted
4 Dogs Transferred Out
11 Dogs Transferred In

CATS:
43 Received
1 Redeemed
35 Adopted
9 Transferred

(Transfers = sending/receiving dogs to other shelters to get them adopted more quickly.)

Thanks to the many families who adopted, fostered or helped spread the word about the shelter’s “Home for the Holidays” program. Because of you, these furry friends did not spend Christmas in a cage.

On December 30, 2016 at approximately 1:30 a.m. Deputy W. J. McWaters responded to a suspicious persons call at the Country Inn and Suites located at 656 Warrenton Road. The reporting party advised Deputy McWaters a male and female subject recently arrived at the hotel and the female had followed a guest into a room while the male remained in the hotel lobby.

The male subject in the lobby was approached by Deputy McWaters. He explained he and his female friend were traveling through Stafford from Georgia and they stopped at the hotel so she could meet an ex-boyfriend. The male was subsequently identified as Wyatt Hessing. Deputy McWaters ran him through the wanted files and found Mr. Hessing had active warrants stemming from an assault that occurred on Oak Drive in Stafford County on December 11, 2016. There was also an active Felony Probation Violation on file in Prince William County.

Wyatt Jamal Hessing, age 27 of Forge Drive in Woodbridge, was charged with Revocation of Probation, Assault and Battery and Destruction of Property. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail with no bond.

On December 31, 2016 at approximately 12:35 a.m. multiple patrol deputies responded to a fight in progress in the Buffalo Wild Wings parking lot. Upon arrival Deputy S.B. Sparry observed two white males, a black female and a black male on the ground fighting. When he commanded them to stop both white males and the black female attempted to flee the scene on foot. The three were apprehended a short time later by other responding deputies.

Once subjects and witnesses were interviewed, it was determined that the assault victim had been asked by the business management to assist in quelling a disturbance inside the establishment that was being caused by the two white males. These men, later identified as brothers Trenton Kile Wilson and Tanner Kelly Wilson were being escorted into the parking lot by the victim and the female accompanied them. One of the brothers then sucker punched the victim in the face and the others joined the assault.

Several witnesses provided information stating that Trenton and Tanner Wilson had caused problems in the restaurant throughout the night being loud, rude and argumentative toward patrons and staff.

Tanner Kelly Wilson, age 23, Trenton Kile Wilson, age 21, and Taylre Alyss Gunn, age 23 were all charged with Assault by Mob, Assault and Battery and Drunk in Public. They were transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and incarcerated.

On January 1, 2017 at approximately 9:10 a.m. Deputy B.E. Gates responded to a shoplifting incident that occurred at the 7-Eleven on Deacon Road. Upon arrival a witness provided Deputy Gates with a suspect description of a tall black male, wearing a black jacket, orange shoes and carrying a backpack. The male was observed to stealing multiple energy drinks and then departing the store on foot traveling east.

Deputy Gates began to canvas the area and soon observed a backpack on the side of the road that contained energy drinks and two pumpkin spice rolls from Weis Grocery. Deputy Gates continued to look for the subject and located him nearby.

After the encounter the man was identified as 18-year-old Kristopher Kareem Malcolm of Dundee Place. Malcom admitted to taking the drinks from 7-Eleven and the food items from Weis. Due to Malcolm’s criminal history including two prior shoplifting convictions and another pending charge, he was charged with two counts of Felony Shoplifting and was transported to the Rappahannock Region Jail. He was held with no bond.

On December 31, 2016 at approximately 8:15 p.m. Deputy S.P. Whitt responded to a Larceny that had recently occurred at the Walmart on Garrisonville Road. The deputy was advised by Walmart’s loss prevention personnel that Karsten Lee was the subject involved in the incident, and was known to have stolen items previously from Walmart. Deputy Whitt reviewed the video tape and saw a black male in a dark hooded jacket, dark pants and blue shoes place a vacuum box in the cart and exit the store without paying. The man had not been observed exiting the parking lot.

Deputy Whitt’s research on Lea’s criminal history revealed a previous larceny conviction and a pending trial for larceny from an arrest on December 27, 2016. She then obtained additional warrants for Petit Larceny and Shoplifting.

A short time later, a Virginia State Police Trooper notified Stafford’s Sheriff’s Office that Karsten Lea was in custody and was being transported to the magistrate. Deputy Whitt responded to the magistrate and observed Lea to have on the same articles of clothing as she saw in the video.

Karsten Jermaine Lea, age 22 of Glacier Way, was charged with Petit Larceny and Concealment and Price Altering. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On the evening of January 3, 2017 Deputy A.I. Assur made two separate arrests involving drug possession.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. Deputy Assur responded to a possible overdose in the area of Weis Grocery at 282 Deacon Road. While traveling to the call the deputy was advised that a male subject was unresponsive in his vehicle while it was in operation. When the deputy arrived, he saw medical personnel attending to the male. The subject was extremely lethargic, unsteady on his feet and having trouble following simple directions. He was identified as Benjamin Frierson and given a field sobriety test. Frierson was taken into custody for public intoxication and a search incident to arrest was conducted. The search revealed small bags of what appeared to be heroin as well as other drug paraphernalia. Benjamin Hampton Frierson, age 40 of Ferry Road, was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Paraphernalia and Driving Under the Influence. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2000 secured bond.

Later in the evening at approximately 9:31 p.m. Deputy Assur was traveling south in the middle lane on Interstate 95 while a Virginia State Trooper was a few car lengths ahead in the left lane of travel. Deputy Assur observed a 2007 silver Buick unnecessarily braking as the State Police vehicle moved passed. The Buick then slowed to a speed of 45 MPH. The deputy ran the tag and it returned to a man who was wanted in Charlottesville. Deputy Assur initiated a traffic stop during which he noticed the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A search of the subject and vehicle revealed 11 ounces of marijuana. Due to the large quantity of illegal drugs the vehicle was seized. Rahsaan Jamar Watkins, age 39 of Charlottesville, Virginia, was charged with Manufacture, Sale and Possession of Controlled Substances. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On January 5, 2017 at approximately 12:04 p.m. Deputy B.U. Demirci responded to a larceny in the area of the Home Depot at 305 Worth Avenue. A witness advised seeing a black male running out of the store carrying a vacuum cleaner. The male was wearing a camouflaged hooded sweater. Home Depot personnel reported the subject had actually stolen two vacuums but had accidentally dropped one soon after he left the store.

The subject, matching the description provided, was found a short time later near CVS. He identified himself to law enforcement and admitted to going into the store with the intent to steal the vacuums and resell them. He stated that he dropped the other vacuum in the bushes of a nearby business when he became fearful of being apprehended.

Shikim Terkel Johnson, age 20 of Oakridge Drive, Stafford, VA, was charged with Grand Larceny and Larceny with Intent to Sell or Distribute. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On January 5, 2017 at approximately 3:10 p.m. First Sergeant L.E. Barley responded to assist an unconscious man in a vehicle on Garrisonville Road. When First Sergeant Barley arrived he observed a red Dodge SUV stopped near the intersection of Garrisonville Road and Salisbury Drive. The traffic light turned green but the Dodge did not move. First Sergeant Barley activated his emergency equipment and pulled in front of the vehicle. First Sergeant Barley saw a male subject in the driver’s seat slumped over, appearing to be unconscious. The vehicle doors were locked but it was running and in gear.

First Sergeant Barley attempted to roust the subject by hitting the driver’s side window but received no initial response. As he hit the glass harder, the subject awoke, took his foot off the brake and the car began to roll forward. He then stopped the vehicle and rolled down the window. First Sergeant Barley reached through the window and opened the door. After several attempts the driver put the vehicle in park. He was identified as Dane Wisdom. As Mr. Wisdom exited the vehicle First Sergeant Barley noticed an odor of marijuana. He searched Mr. Wisdom prior to having him evaluated by the medical personnel at the scene. During the search a glass smoking device loaded with a green plant material was recovered. First Sergeant Barley searched the Dodge and recovered an open bottle of Gin.

Field Training Officer J.K. Kyle and Deputy W.C. Betush arrived on the scene and conducted field sobriety tests.

Dane Marc Wisdom, age 32 of Aston Court, Stafford, VA, was charged with Driving Under the Influence and Possession of Marijuana. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On January 4, 2017 at approximately 8:40 p.m. Deputy D.T. Aubrecht responded to an overdose in the area of the WaWa at 105 Garrisonville Road. Upon arrival he observed rescue personnel treating a male subject in the parking lot and a silver 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser was nearby.

Deputy Aubrecht made contact with the reporting party who was also the driver of Toyota. Deputy Aubrecht was advised that the driver had picked up his friend, Robert Childs, a few moments earlier at the nearby CVS. Robert looked “white faced” and appeared “groggy.” He then passed out in the backseat of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and removed Mr. Childs from the vehicle and dialed 9-1-1. The driver reported that another man, Francis Gayle, had been in the vehicle with them but was now inside WaWa.

A witness who had just left the scene flagged down another patrol deputy and advised that he saw someone possibly getting rid of evidence behind a nearby dumpster. The two men were detained, searched and interviewed while Deputy Smith and his K-9 partner Lobo searched the area. Lobo indicated the presence of narcotics in and around the dumpster area and deputies located multiple syringes and paraphernalia inside the dumpster. White powder residue was found in the men’s bathroom in WaWa and on the person of Francis Gayle. Stafford Narcotics Detectives arrived and continued interviewing the men.

Robert Adrian Childs, Jr., age 24 of Novak Drive, Stafford, VA, was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Paraphernalia. He was treated at a local hospital and when medically discharged he was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Region Jail.

Francis James Gayle, IV, age 21 of 115 Jib Drive, Stafford, VA was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Paraphernalia and was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On January 6, 2017, at approximately 10:45 p.m. Deputy S.A. Fulford responded to a suspicious vehicle located in the cul-de-sac of Hamlin Drive. When Deputy Fulford arrived and approached the Toyota Scion he observed three male subjects inside the vehicle. The deputy noticed the male in the backseat had a plastic bottle between his feet and what appeared to be a smoked joint sticking out of the bottom of the bottle. Based upon Deputy Fulford’s training and experience he believed the bottle to be an improvised smoking device.

When the driver of the vehicle rolled down his window Deputy Fulford detected the odor of burnt marijuana inside. All of the occupants denied smoking marijuana in the vehicle. When the three occupants were identified, the driver of the vehicle, Hunter Johnston, had no valid driver’s license and the backseat passenger was found to be a juvenile. Due to the marijuana odor the three occupants and the vehicle were searched. As the 16-year-old passenger was searched, a strong odor of alcohol emitted from his person. He admitted to Deputy Fulford that he had four beers earlier in the evening.

The search recovered a plastic bag of marijuana, a metal marijuana grinder, a partially smoked joint as well other plant-like substances.

Hunter Matthew Johnston, age 18 of John Jay Road in Stafford, VA, was charged with Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Possession of Marijuana. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $500 secured bond.

Corey Alan Brent, age 18 of Grandview Road in Stafford, VA, was issued a summons for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Possession of Marijuana.

The juvenile was turned over to the custody of his father and charges for Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol and Possession of Marijuana are pending in Juvenile Court Services.

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office presents its first-ever Year in Review for 2016. The review highlights the many accomplishments of the Sheriff’s Office in the last twelve months. These accomplishments include a special visit between the Sheriff’s Office and President-elect Donald Trump, increased community partnerships, the implementation of new state-of-the-art technology as well as upcoming initiatives including body cameras, a new drone program and enhanced training for staff and citizens. A look ahead at upcoming challenges is also included.

Last year marked the first year in office for Sheriff David P. Decatur, who was elected Sheriff in 2015 after rising through the ranks over a 29-year career in the department. During his campaign, Sheriff Decatur promised to build on the legacy of excellence established by previous sheriffs. Thanks to the support of the Stafford Board of Supervisors, public safety staff and the diverse Stafford community, Sheriff Decatur has not only carried on that legacy but has enhanced his staff’s focus on implementing Innovations in Excellence in an effort to keep Stafford’s citizens as safe as possible.

“We focused on five key areas in 2016 to help infuse intentional excellence into the daily behaviors of our staff,” Sheriff Decatur said. “We invested in our people, increased partnerships with our community, promoted safety with technology, implemented new crime-fighting initiatives, worked to enhance our professionalism and dedicated ourselves to excellence as a daily practice -- as part of our culture and in our DNA.”

The Year in Review package consists of a short video showcasing the highlights of the year and a PowerPoint that provides more details on each of the focus areas. Both presentations are available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.staffordsheriff.com.

“The past year’s accomplishments are due to the efforts of the entire community,” Sheriff Decatur said. “Engaging our citizens in the work of public safety was a recurring theme in 2016. In a time when the national spotlight focused on challenging relationships between law enforcement and citizens, our Year in Review is a testament to our strong and trusting partnerships with our community, and a reflection of our efforts to enhance transparency and accountability to those whom we serve. Everyone in Stafford deserves credit for making 2016 a successful year for our community.”

For more information on the Year in Review, please contact Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer M.C. Morris Moncure at 540.658.4468.

The Sheriff’s Office was recently contacted by a citizen to report a possible scam. The citizen had listed a product on craigslist for $150.00 and received an inquiry from a subject who identified himself as “David Martinez” from California. After a brief interaction, Martinez communicated that he wanted to purchase the item and would send a check. After several days the seller received a check for $960.00, substantially more than the agreed upon sales price. The buyer explained that $800 should be paid to movers who would pick up the item and the seller could keep the balance. The alert seller took the check to the bank prior to depositing it and discovered that it was forged.

If the seller had deposited the check he may have been contacted by “the buyer” prior to the check clearing the bank. The buyer might claim an urgent situation and request some of the “overpaid” money be returned. The check would have been worthless and the seller would have lost the money he returned in good faith.

While there are a number of different scenarios that might have played out, the person attempting the fraud would have tried to get money returned on a forged check.

The investigation into the incident continues. The Sheriff’s Office advises vigilance when buying or selling online. (See a recent media release on an eBay Lookalike Scam - http://bit.ly/2ht5Vhj.)

Call the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity by using the non-emergency number 540-658-4400.

On January 9, 2017 a crime prevention detail observed suspicious activity at the Motel 6 on Warrenton Road. Subjects were seen entering a hotel room, staying briefly, and then leaving. A male wearing a white shirt was seen opening and closing the hotel room door each time. Two of the subjects who had entered and exited the hotel room were pulled over after leaving the Motel 6 and found to be in possession of contraband and paraphernalia.

A short time later, Special Problems Unit Deputy J. R. Scott followed the male wearing the white shirt to a local convenience store and detained him based upon the traffic stops and what was observed earlier at the hotel. The male was identified as Carl Grant and Sergeant D.A. Volpe was called to interview him. Grant gave consent to search his hotel room and a large sum of cash and drug paraphernalia were recovered. Additionally, six grams of heroin was found on his person.

Carl Bernard Grant, Jr., age 38 of Suffolk, VA, was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2500 secured bond.

Stafford, VA. On January 12, 2017, at approximately 8:52 p.m. Deputy S.A. Fulford and Deputy A. I. Assur responded to an overdose at the WaWa located at 275 Butler Road. Upon arrival, the deputies were directed into the men’s bathroom where they observed a white male crouched on the floor in the back corner of a bathroom stall.

The male was conscious, sweating profusely and seemed disoriented. A syringe was observed on the floor lying at the subject’s feet. The male was identified as Vernon Hicks. Mr. Hicks was assisted to the parking lot and evaluated by Emergency Medical Services.

As Mr. Hicks was being medically evaluated, a K-9 unit responded and performed a scan of his vehicle. The K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics upon searching the vehicle, Deputy Assur recovered paraphernalia with suspected opiate residue.

Medical personnel transported Mr. Hicks to a local hospital where he received further medical evaluation and was cleared for release. Vernon Steve Hicks, Jr, age 37 of Possum Point Road in Dumfries, VA, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Paraphernalia and Public Intoxication. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.

On January 16, 2017 at approximately 11:22 p.m. Deputy D.G. French responded to a disturbance in the area of the Knight’s Inn at 386 Warrenton Road. Upon arrival Deputy French observed a male, later identified as George Graves, lying on the asphalt in the front parking lot. His lips were covered in blood and there was a cut above his eyebrow. Mr. Graves appeared to be intoxicated and was having trouble standing on his own. A female was attempting to assist him. As patrol units approached, Mr. Graves began shouting a steady stream of expletives directed toward them.

Deputy French began speaking with the female who advised there had been a verbal argument in one of the hotel rooms between Mr. Graves and another man. As Mr. Graves was leaving the hotel room the man pushed him down and he fell in the parking lot. When Deputy French attempted to interview Mr. Graves he continued to berate law enforcement with a tirade of expletives. Emergency Medical Services arrived to render aid and transported him to the hospital where he continued to be aggressive to medical personnel and the foul language remained unabated.

George Delany Graves, III, age 29 of Red Hill Road in Spotsylvania, VA, was charged with Assault and Battery of a Police Officer/Firefighter/Medical Personnel, Disorderly Conduct and Public Swearing and Intoxication. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On January 14, 2017 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sergeant D.R. Colona responded to a disturbance in the area of the Walmart at 217 Garrisonville Road. The reporting party stated a female friend was hiding in the woman’s dressing room in an attempt to elude a man who was “stalking” her. The caller contacted the Sheriff’s Office after receiving a Facebook message from her friend and further advised the man was driving a gold van.

As Sergeant Colona arrived in the parking lot, he observed a gold Dodge Caravan and ran the vehicle tags which returned to a 2000 green Honda. A white male was sitting in the van. Sergeant Colona made contact and identified him as Patrick Stambler. Mr. Stambler advised that he was looking for a co-worker who he was giving a ride home.

Simultaneously, Deputy L.E. Neal arrived on the scene and entered the store to look for the female. She was soon located and explained to Deputy Neal that she had been assaulted by a co-worker whom she had just met that day. The man had offered her a ride home from work and on the way, they agreed to get food from McDonalds. As they approached McDonald’s, they stopped at a nearby traffic light. The male then put his hand down the female victim’s shirt. Later in the drive-thru line he exposed himself and placed his hand on her head in an attempted forcible sodomy. She recoiled from both acts telling the male not to touch her. She then told Mr. Stambler she needed to make a purchase at Walmart. While in the store the victim went into the bathroom, removed her jacket and hat and altered her hairstyle in an effort to change her appearance. She then went to the woman’s dressing room and messaged her friend for help.

Patrick Brian Stambler, age 33 of Ranch Drive in Spotsylvania, VA, was charged with Attempted Forcible Sodomy and Sexual Battery. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail and is held on no bond.