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Courts and Crime

  • Altavista man guilty of child sex charges

        Charlie Ray Haskins Jr., 35, of Altavista, entered no contest pleas, in Bedford County Circuit Court, Tuesday, to two counts of aggravated sexual battery against a minor.
        He had been facing eight felonies related to the charges, but under a plea deal only two were prosecuted.
        According to Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Ayers, Haskins began molesting the victim when she was 11 and it continued until she turned 14.

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  • Former Army sergeant enters pleas

        A former sergeant in the US Army pleaded no contest Tuesday to six felony charges related to a relationship he had with a 14-year-old Bedford County girl.
        Angelo E. Paderes , 27, entered the pleas on four counts of computer solicitation, one count of carnal knowledge and one count of abduction. A sentencing hearing has been set for March 3 at 1:30 p.m. on the charges. The no contest pleas mean he agrees the commonwealth has enough evidence to convict him, while not admitting to the crimes.

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  • BCSO looks into thefts in Lake Vista area

        Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating several reports of thefts from vehicles in the Lake Vista area of Bedford County.
        The larcenies occurred late Thursday night or early morning hours of Friday. All the thefts were from unlocked vehicles. Items missing are wallets, personal items, a .270 rifle and credit cards.

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  • Former Sonic employee sentenced for B & E

        A former employee of Sonic in Bedford, arrested for breaking into the fast-food restaurant Feb. 1, has been sentenced on the charges related to the break-in as well as on an embezzlement charge from the restaurant.

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  • Nathalie man facing child porn charges

        On November 10, investigators from Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, along with investigators from Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, served warrants on Leslie Gerber of Nathalie, related to charges involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. 

        Additionally, a search warrant for additional evidence related to the arrest warrants, was also executed.

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  • No treats

        Monday, October 31 was a timely “treat” for Bedford County Sheriff’s Office investigators, when they arrested a Campbell County man and charged him with five burglaries.

        Bedford teamed with the Altavista Police Department and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and arrested Michael Ray Ferguson, Jr., 31. Ferguson was also charged with five counts of grand larceny.

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  • Bedford woman sentenced for drug robbery at English Meadows

        A scheme to rob pills from her employer has led to a 19-year-old Bedford woman having to serve 19 months in prison.
        Alicyn Marie Updike pleaded guilty in May to the August 2015 robbery at English Meadows Elks Home Campus, where she was employed. Her boyfriend, Cody Wayne Nichols, 21, was also involved and previously received a two-year prison sentence for his part in the robbery.

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  • Montvale man to be re-sentenced

        A United States Supreme Court ruling stating that life sentences are unconstitutional for juveniles in most cases has sent hundreds of cases back for re-sentencing, including one here in Bedford.
        Randy Dwayne Ross, at the age of 17, was convicted in 1999 for capital murder and firearms charges in connection with the murder, in 1998, of 17-year-old Jamelle Edward Poindexter, a Liberty High School student.

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  • Teen charged with arson, firing gun at vehicles

        A Bedford County man who is described as having mental issues has been arrested following a manhunt Thursday after he allegedly fired shots in his home and at several vehicles.

        Thursday’s incidents led to the arrest of 18-year-old Daniel Flint. He was initially charged with arson, malicious shooting of an occupied vehicle and attempted malicious shooting of an occupied vehicle. Later Thursday evening, he was also charged with possession of a firearm after being involuntarily committed to a mental hospital.

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  • Shelter worker charged with animal cruelty

        A worker at the Bedford County Animal Shelter has been charged with felony animal cruelty, in connection with injuries to a cat that led it to have to be euthanized.
        Bryan Skinnell, 43, of Bedford County, was arrested Sept. 26 on the charge following the investigation of a complaint that was filed  on Aug. 10. Skinnell’s employment at the shelter was terminated after he was charged.

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