Four Arrests Made In Meth Lab Raid

Accomack County and Virginia authorities along with Worcester County Sheriffs Office-Criminal Enforcement Team do another wonderful job working together !!

According to Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin, on February 14, 2014 members of the Virginia State Police Clandestine Lab Team executed two search warrants located in Accomack County as a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Accomack County Sheriffs Office and Eastern Shore Drug Task Force.

Specially equipped and trained members of the Virginia State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration searched and processed two residences located in the immediate area of Gargatha Landing Road just south of Nelsonia, Virginia in what was believed to be the first meth lab investigation involving a resident of Accomack County.

Assisting with the process was the Eastern Shore Haz-Mat response team , Virginia Department of Emergency Management Services and the Bloxom Fire Department.

These agencies were essential in providing decontamination procedures for the officers and occupants that entered the residences.

 The residence located at 17394 Music Circle was condemned by Accomack County Department of Building and Zoning following the completion of the search warrant.

Four individuals have been arrested as a result of this investigation.
William Allen Williams and Joanna Strickland of Nelsonia have both been charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture methamphetamine and manufacture methamphetamine with a child under 15 present in the dwelling.

Victor Manuel Garced and Christian Hope Hemphill have both been charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
 Williams, Strickland and Garced were all held with bond denied. Hemphill was held on a $10,000.00 secured bond.

Methamphetamine is created utilizing chemicals derived from common household items that can be purchased from local merchants in addition to over the counter medicines that contain pseudoephedrine. The process involves chemical reactions that create toxic fumes that can ignite and/or explode and are extremely hazardous when inhaled.

 No injuries have been reported in relation to this particular investigation.

Also assisting in this investigation was Worcester County Sheriffs Office-Criminal Enforcement Team and the Accomack County Department of Social Services.


Sheriff Godwin urges anyone with information related to any additional methamphetamine labs or other drug information to contact his office at 757-787-1131 or the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force at 757-414-0746.

Any information you provide will remain confidential.
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