November 3rd, The 16th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Chili & Craft Festival was held at Bridgewater Plaza November 3. The annual event featured music, crafts, and the always competitive chili cook-off. Courtesy Photo: Franklin County Deputy Ryan King with Charlene Jones and John Stafford from the SML Rotary Club.
On 11/8/18, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations and Special Investigations Divisions executed multiple search warrants in Franklin County in relation to a series of break ins and larcenies in the Glade Hill and Union Hall communities of Franklin County. The search warrants resulted in the recovery of 37 items that were reported stolen to include; chainsaws, weed eaters, tools, etc. Smith and Crook have both been charged and are currently being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond.
James Smith, 54, of Glade Hill was charged with possession of stolen propery, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of drugs.
Alan Crook. 26. of Glade Hill was charged with possession of stolen propety.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending. Anyone with additional information or inquiries about property can contact Captain Paul Caldwell at 540-352-5174.
MONETA - On 9/15/18 and 9/17/18, the Franklin County Sherriff’s Office began an investigation in to two break ins at the same residence on Lakemount Dr. in the Moneta community of Franklin County. This residence was unoccupied and had been damaged from a recent fire. Investigator’s soon developed Zachariah Markham and Brittany Nichols as suspects. Both Nichols and Markham were charged with Breaking and Entering and Grand Larceny. Markham was also charged with Destruction of Property. Nichols and Markham are both currently being held in the Western Virginia regional Jail without bond.
On 10/30/18, deputies responded to the same residence on Lakemount Dr. in reference to a suspicious person in the area. Deputies located the subject and were quickly able to determine that the subject did not belong in that area. Deputies and Investigators were able to locate three additional subjects as well as recover stolen items related to the break in.
Christopher Palmero, Arranda Maggio, Joseph Stewart and Brett Halsey were all charged with Burglary and Grand Larceny. The investigation also led to search warrants in Roanoke and Vinton as well as the additional arrest of Keith Arrington for Burglary and Grand Larceny.
The owners of the estate have been advised to make arrangements to more properly secure the residence. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending.
Halsey is being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond. Both Maggio and Palmero are being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail on a $5,000.00 bond.
Stewart bonded out on a $10,000.00 bond and Arrington bonded out on a $1,500.00 bond.
