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Police and fire briefs
The following news happened in Loudoun's public safety fields throughout the week.
Man convicted of dealing drugs
A 24-year-old Leesburg man was convicted Aug. 14 in Loudoun County Circuit Court of possessing illegal drugs with the intent to sell them.
Antonio Johnson was found guilty of the offenses after a three-day trial, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Plowman said.
Plowman gave this description of the arrest:
On Nov. 16, 2007, a Leesburg police officer pulled over a car that Johnson was a passenger in. The officer discovered that Johnson had a vial of PCP and a small bag of marijuana. Further investigation by the Leesburg Police and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office led to a second vial of PCP that was connected to Johnson.
The agencies also seized $900 from Johnson, who was unemployed at the time, Plowman said.
Johnson was convicted Aug. 14 of felony possession with intent to distribute PCP and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
During sentencing, prosecutors Sean Morgan and Colleen Hardy presented evidence of a criminal history that included other drug convictions for Johnson, leading the jury to recommend an eight-year prison sentence along with $42,500 in fines, Plowman said.
Johnson will be officially sentenced Sept. 9 by Judge James H. Chamblin.
“This case was a terrific example of how two law enforcement agencies each contributed meaningfully to the prosecution and removal of an individual who has been a menace to the community for several years,” Plowman said. “This was a fine example of teamwork.”
Still looking for leads
On Aug. 30, an event will be held to keep the public aware of July 29, 2002, disappearance and murder of 14-year-old Ashburn resident Erica Heather Smith, whose body was found 11 days later in a shallow grave in the woods by the Beaumeade Corporate Park.
Her case is still unsolved but remains an open investigation for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
Co-workers of William Smith, Erica's dad, have organized the event, which will happen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trailside Park in Ashburn. Food will be provided.
Volunteers will be handing out fliers to keep Erica's murder at the forefront of people's minds. This could encourage anyone who knows something about it to come forward.
Volunteers are still being accepted to work in one-hour shifts at the event. For more information, call or e-mail Roger Massey at 703-232-5560 or RogerMassey@comcast.net.
Burning ban extended
Dry conditions have forced the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office to extend the open-burning ban indefinitely beginning Sept. 1. The ban was set to end at midnight Aug. 31 but has been extended until conditions improve, Loudoun Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Mary Maguire said.
With the ban in effect, people are not allowed to burn anything outside except over a campfire or grill. This ban applies to all areas of Loudoun County, including the seven incorporated towns. Violations of the open-burning ban could result in a penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, Maguire said.
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