December 6, 2007
Press Release

Drug Arrest Made

BEDFORD, VA - On Thursday afternoon, Bedford County Sheriff's deputies executed a narcotics search warrant at the Sky Mart #5, located at 7865 Jordantown Road in Vinton, Virginia.

This search warrant is the result of an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the Bedford County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit. This business was closed by Bedford deputies to allow investigators to search for evidence of narcotics and records pertaining to criminal enterprise activities.

As a result of this search warrant, deputies arrested Michael Shawn Welch, age 22 of Vinton, Virginia. He has been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a public school (Stewartsville Elementary).

Investigators from the Virginia Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control have assisted the Bedford County Sheriff's Office in this investigation.

Contact: Major Ricky Gardner – 540.586.4800