Photo by Sam Wall
An 18-month investigation led by The Montgomery County Sheriff’s office culminated in the arrest of 19 suspects and 66 felony charges.
Sheriff Hank Partin released the details of the investigation at a press conference Monday afternoon. The effort began in May 2017 and included help from agencies in multiple localities. The investigation resulted in the confiscation of at least 1000 grams of crystal meth with a street value of $36,000.
Sixteen suspects were arrested in the round up, with three others already in jail, according to the sheriff’s office.
Partin said that the ringleader of the operation, Aaron Hixon, 44, of Blacksburg, is charged with transporting drugs to Virginia 18 times.
Most of the meth brought to the county is believed to have come from the communities of Sylvester and Albany in south Georgia, according to Partin.
Three more suspects remain at large: Daniel Leonard Price, 46, of Blacksburg, wanted on three counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Brandon Dale Sweeney, 37, of Radford, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute over 10 grams of methamphetamine and Alexis Oneill Marie Bentley, 23, of Floyd, is wanted on one count of distribution.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with any information on the location of the suspects to call 382-6915.
— Sam Wall
