Tens of thousands of Fentanyl pills are off our local streets today thanks to the good work of area police.
In a joint operation, the Manassas City Police Department, working in collaboration with the Prince William County Vice Narcotics Task Force, Prince William County Street Crimes Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), successfully executed arrest and search warrants leading to the apprehension of four individuals involved in the possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as illegal possession of firearms within Manassas.
During the operation, law enforcement arrested four individuals, revealing a significant cache of illegal narcotics and firearms in their possession. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at a home in Manassas, resulting in the seizure of additional contraband, Manassas police state in a press release.
The seized items during the investigation include over $6,500 in U.S. currency, $40,000 worth of high-end jewelry, 66,000 Fentanyl pills, 2,300 grams of marijuana, 40 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms, 142 grams of cocaine, and six guns.
The arrested individuals are facing multiple criminal charges, including several counts of distribution of schedule I/II narcotics, possession of narcotics while in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Police didn’t identify those charged, calling it an ongoing investigation.
On January 30, at 8:47 AM, Prince William police were called to a report of shots fired in the vicinity of Verde Place and Piedmont Vista Drive in Haymarket. Upon investigation, police said John James Ogle, discharged a handgun into the ground.
Police said he tried to euthanize his 16-year-old cocker-spaniel and poodle mixed dog. The accused fired one round, followed by several others, killing the dog, police said. No one was injured.
Animal Control Officers removed the dead animal and charged Ogle, 70
with felony cruelty to animals, shooting in a public place, and improper disposal of a companion animal. As of now, his court date is pending, and he has been released on Personal Recognizance.
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[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]On January 30 at 1:15 AM, crash investigators responded to Dale Boulevard near Queensdale Drive in Dale City to investigate a crash involving a pedestrian.
Prince William police said the investigation revealed that a 2013 Toyota Corolla driver was traveling northbound on Dale Boulevard, approaching the intersection, when the vehicle struck a pedestrian attempting to cross Dale Boulevard outside a crosswalk wearing dark-colored clothing.
The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigators determined that speed, alcohol, and drugs were not factors for the driver.
The investigation continues. The deceased pedestrian was identified as Daniel Kent Ryder, 37, of Woodbridge.
The driver of the 2013 Toyota Corolla was identified as a 37-year-old man from Woodbridge.
On January 22 at 8:24 a.m., police responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Old Bridge Road and Oakwood Drive in Lake Ridge.
The incident unfolded when the driver of a 2013 Nissan Juke lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and roll onto its roof.
Upon arrival at the scene, Good Samaritans acted swiftly, extracting the driver and providing first aid until fire and rescue personnel arrived. Despite the prompt response, the driver, identified as 39-year-old Demetria Yvette Lee of Woodbridge, succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision on January 24.
The investigation revealed that the Nissan Juke was traveling east on Old Bridge Rd, just after the intersection with Oakwood Dr, when the tragic incident occurred. A 7-year-old boy, properly restrained inside the vehicle, was unharmed.
No other vehicles were involved in the collision.
Crash investigators, who do not currently suspect speed or impairment as factors, are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and assist in their inquiries.
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]“Law enforcement officials and advocates are raising the alarm about what they believe to be the prevalence of human trafficking in Prince William County,” reports Ben Peters at Insidenova.com. “County and nonprofit leaders gathered Thursday night at Montclair Country Club to spread awareness at a forum hosted by the Prince William Committee of 100.”
In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.
The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.
Franklin will be joined by Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham and Captain Dave Smith as guest speakers for the event.
The county’s annual 2023 crime report underscored concerning trends in violent crime, with a staggering 70% increase from 2019 to 2022. This category encompasses offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, sodomy, and robbery.
The report showed the overall crime rate had surged by 23% in the past year alone, translating to 38 reported crimes per 1,000 county residents, up from 32 in 2021. Most of the increased crime has been reported along the Route 1 corridor in Woodbridge.
Prince William County saw 22 homicides in 2023, two more than in 2022.
The town hall will be conducted virtually. Here’s the Zoom event link, and for those who prefer to watch without active participation, the live stream will be available on YouTube at YouTube.com/@WoodbridgeBOCS.
Franklin, a Democrat, has entered the race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. This move follows the announcement by incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger that she will not seek re-election but instead run for Virginia’s governorship in 2025.
Derrick Anderson, a U.S. Army Green Beret from Spotsylvania, is vying for the Republican nomination after an unsuccessful attempt in the 2022 GOP Primary Election.
Franklin recently secured re-election to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and has been part of a progressive majority that has brought significant changes to the county government.
Notable decisions include hiring Christopher Shorter as one of the highest-paid county executives in the Washington, D.C., region and advocating for increased police salaries. Franklin also played a role in establishing a racial and social justice commission while voting to abolish a federal partnership on immigration enforcement.
Despite active community engagement, Franklin has faced criticism from restaurant owners in her district, particularly regarding a contentious meals tax. Former Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, who faced criticism alongside Franklin, lost the 2023 Primary Election to Democrat Deshundra Jefferson, now the At-large Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
Franklin’s political background includes eight years as a congressional aide and subsequent work as the vice president of a PR firm starting in 2020. The 7th District, covering eastern Prince William County, leans towards Democrats and includes Stafford, Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg.
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Shooting Investigation:
– Occurred on January 17 at Elevations One Apartments in Woodbridge
– 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds, non-life-threatening injuries
– No evidence found at the reported location; investigation ongoing
Strong-Arm Robbery – Suspect Identified and Arrested:
– Arrested: Alexander Garjay KAY-KAY, 19, of 10316 Butternut Cl. near Manassas
– Charged with robbery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Status: Remains Incarcerated
Attempted Strong-Arm Robbery:
– Occurred on December 6 at Walmart in Haymarket
– Victim, a 29-year-old man, was assaulted during a phone sale transaction
– Suspect fled on foot; no injuries reported
Abduction | Domestic Related – Suspect Arrested:
– Arrested: Franklin Humberto GUZMAN-CANALES, 23, of 6708 Tower Dr. in Alexandria
– Charged with abduction and domestic assault & battery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Domestic Dispute and Assault:
– Occurred on December 21 at a residence in Woodbridge
– Victim, a 22-year-old woman, was physically assaulted by the accused
– Victim treated for non-life-threatening injuries
Aggravated Sexual Battery – Accused Arrested:
– Arrested: Juan Carlos VIDES GUEVARA, 26, of 3913 Findley Dr. in Woodbridge
– Charged with aggravated sexual battery, attempted aggravated sexual battery, and forcible sodomy
– Arrest Date: January 9
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Strangulation | Domestic Related – Juvenile Arrested:
– Arrested: 17-year-old male juvenile of Woodbridge
– Charged with strangulation
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held at the Juvenile Detention Center
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Indecent Exposure – January 16, 9:11 AM
On January 16, at 9:11 a.m. officers responded to the area of Potomac Mills Road near Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge to investigate an indecent exposure incident. Two female victims, aged 29 and 37, reported that an unknown man, identified as Rodney Kayne BYRNE, exposed himself and made inappropriate gestures. The women promptly contacted the police, leading to the detention of the accused without incident. Following the investigation, Rodney Kayne BYRNE, 33, of no fixed address, was charged with indecent exposure. His court date is pending, and he has been released on a court summons.
Aggravated Malicious Wounding | Domestic Related – January 14, 2:14 AM
On January 14 at 2:14 a.m, officers responded to a home in the 3400 block of Logstone Drive in Triangle for a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed a verbal altercation between a 48-year-old woman (the victim) and a family member identified as Nelson VILLATORO MORALES. The situation escalated, and the accused pushed the victim, causing her to fall down the stairs.
The victim was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the investigation, Nelson VILLATORO MORALES, 46, of the 3400 block of Logstone Dr. in Triangle, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding and domestic assault & battery. His court date is pending, and he is held without bond.
Tens of thousands of Fentanyl pills are off our local streets today thanks to the good work of area police.
