Police Coalition Established For Two Counties

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is no longer restrained by state borders when pursuing certain criminals.

A coalition between the Worcester County and Accomack County Sheriff's Offices has created the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, devoted to working together and with federal authorities to seek out and prosecute those who travel over state lines to sell drugs.

Cpl. Nate Passwaters is a member of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, but he's also deputized in Accomack County and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"Drug dealers don't have boundaries like we do," says Passwaters.

Since forming, the task force has charged about 20 alleged drug dealers, all of whom frequently crossed state lines, police officials said. The cooperation between agencies has helped with the flow of information, they say, conducting surveillance operations and getting warrants issued.

"They are under the assumption we are limited in our enforcement," says Passwaters. "It gives them a false sense of security, where they say 'I'm in another state, so it's going to be harder to prosecute me.' "

The select number of officers who serve on the task force may have jurisdiction in other counties, but they can't simply follow suspects wherever they want to. The cases must have a drug component to them.

"I can't just go into Accomack and say, I think I'm going to stop cars today," says Passwaters. He is currently working with Delaware State Police to set up a similar agreement.

Deciding where to prosecute cross-border drug crimes is not complicated by the arrangement. According to Passwaters, if someone is arrested in Virginia, they are prosecuted in Virginia. If they are arrested in Maryland, they are prosecuted in Maryland.

Several cases have been prosecuted on the federal level, based on the quantity of drugs recovered or the presence of firearms, which allows the task force greater access to federal resources and prosecutors. It is also the reason Passwaters is deputized as an ATF officer.

Passwaters says the Sheriff's Office also works with agencies in Somerset and Wicomico counties to share information and collaborate on complex cases.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Accomack County Sheriff's Deputies Make Arrest In Robbery

Still searching for accomplice

According to Major Todd Godwin, on 10/10/2010 at approximately 11:53 PM, the Accomack County Sheriffs Office received a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the Corner Mart in Oak Hall, Virginia. When deputies arrived on the scene, it was determined that 2 suspects had entered the store and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of money and property. Both suspects fled the scene on foot prior to deputies arrival. There were no injuries during this incident.

On 11/2/2010, Dijon Ryheem Smith of New Church, Virginia was arrested and charged with Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, in regards to this incident. He is currently incarcerated in the Accomack County with bond denied.

Warrants have also been obtained for Denzel Maurice Timmons of Pocomoke, Maryland charging him with Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. Timmons has not been located to date and anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666.

www.shoredailynews.com

Police Calls- Thursday-Sunday ACCOMACK

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9:49 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault and battery at 29471 Thornton Road, Temperanceville.

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 11:49 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of discharging weapons at 10522 Lankford Highway, Temperanceville.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2:14 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of assault and battery at Shucker’s Roadhouse, Onancock.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 4:46 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suicide on Madison Avenue, Keller.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:04 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 19394 Lankford Highway, Parksley.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:14 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 30148 Chesser Road, Temperanceville.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 10:14 p.m. the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an attempted suicide on Corbin Street, Hallwood.

www.easternshorenews.com

Photo Of Suspect Who Robbed Corner Mart/Oak Hall, Virginia

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - An Accomack County convenience store was robbed late Saturday night, according to Major Todd Godwin.

The suspect walked into the Corner Mart in Oak Hall and robbed the clerk of money and merchandise. He fled the scene in a black step-side Chevrolet pickup.

Police released a surveillance photo of the suspect, from the store. If you recognize him, call the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.

Accomack County Sheriff's Department Makes Mutliple Attests

**The people of Accomack County don't like it when thugs break into their homes and take what they want when no one is home. They don't like it at all and refuse to tolerate it. Thank goodness Accomack County has a wonderful Sheriff and good, hardworking men in his deparment that work for the people of this county. You see, that's what your tax dollars are supposed to be paying for....... Good, hardworking men that care and are concerned about crime and the safety of its citizens. And thank goodness at the head of this great storm of men coming through to rid the community of crime in any form, is Accomack County Sheriff Larry Giddens!**

According to Sheriff Larry Giddens, an extensive investigation conducted by the Accomack County Sheriffs Office in connection with several Painter break-ins reported during the months of March and April has led to multiple arrests. The investigation involved three residential break-ins and a break-in at the Gravitys Light clothing store. A variety of items was taken during the break-ins and some of the stolen property was recovered during the investigation.

Michael Lee Sample, Jr., age 25 of Painter, was arrested June 15 on three counts of burglary & and three counts of grand larceny. He is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied.

Spencer Lee Sample, age 53 of Painter, was arrested June 15 on four counts of burglary and 4 counts of grand larceny. He is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied.

James Phillip Johnson, age 37 of Painter, was arrested June 16 on four counts of burglary and four counts of grand larceny. He is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied.

http://www.shoredailynews.com/