Fauquier puppy mill owner guilty of 60 counts of animal cruelty
A Fauquier County jury found Irina Barrett guilty of 60 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for her role in a puppy mill on Friday.
In January of 2020, Fauquier County Sheriff’s executed a search warrant after learning about the neglect of an 8 month old Doberman puppy.
Officers found that the puppy was deprived of food and veterinary treatment.
Upon further investigation of her residence, 75 other Dobermans and French Bull dogs were found in terrible living conditions with serious health issues.
57 chickens, three turtles, two guinea pigs and a parakeet were also seized by authorities.
The dogs were discovered in rusty cages with no food or water.
In the garage, deceased dogs of different breeds and ages were found wrapped in newspaper in a box.
46 dogs were eventually euthanized due to their health and the remaining abused dogs have remained in the care of Fauquier SPCA since January of 2020.
Barrett will be sentenced in February, 2024.
Each of the 60 misdemeanors could lead up to 1 year in jail.
The jury did not find Barrett guilty on the three criminal charges investigated in the trial.
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FADC makes safety and security upgrades
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office purchased a new device and a new system that will help keep inmates safe and secure at the Fauquier Adult Detention Center.
The Detention Center purchased a Tek84 body scanner which can detect both metallic and nonmetallic objects including weapons, drugs, cell phones, and other contraband.
The device screens the entire body from below the feet to above the head and would reveal any items hidden under clothing.
Previously, inmates were simply patted down and a body cavity search was only permissible if there were known drug related circumstances.
The new “Life Check” system purchased for the Detention Center to check inmates cells with a digital schedule which is recorded and enhanced with reminder alarms and alerts to supervisors.
The cost for both systems totaled less than $175,000.
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FCSO assist PWCP in apprehending a Baltimore fugitive
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) report assisting Prince William County Police (PWCP) in apprehending a Baltimore fugitive.
In the early morning hours of October 3 FCSO Deputies took pursuit of a person who crossed into the county from Prince William County.
The pursuit continued onto Route 29 with the suspect traveling south in the northbound lane.
PWCP successfully deployed tire deflation devices stopping the vehicle in the 5300 block of Lee Highway Route 29.
A struggle ensued when attempting to take the suspect into custody.
The suspect identified as Aion Wilson of Baltimore assaulted both a deputy from Fauquier County and a Prince William County officer.
Before the chase began the 39-year-old Wilson had already attempted to hit an officer after causing a disturbance at a residence in Gainesville.
Wilson had been banging on the door of the residence claiming to be a food delivery person but the person at the residence did not order food and called the police.
When police arrived, Wilson fled the scene narrowly missing one officer and the chase began.
Wilson faces several charges including driving under the influence, attempted malicious wounding and assault on a law enforcement officer, eluding and obstruction of justice.
Wilson is currently held without bond in Prince William County.
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Authorities resolve a murder barricade situation in Culpeper
Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email a murder barricade situation in Culpeper.
On September 5 VSP, Culpeper and Fauquier County Sheriff’s Deputies with Culpepper Police Officers responded to the report of shots fired in a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival in the 600 block of Friendship Way Culpeper authorities encountered an adult male armed with a firearm.
The male retreated from a third-floor balcony and barricaded himself inside an apartment.
Authorities attempted entry to render aid to an adult female who placed the 911 call for help.
As law enforcement attempted entry the male began firing at them.
After retreating officers began negotiations to de-escalate the situation and were able to determine that the female had succumbed to her injuries.
After intensive negotiations authorities were able to take 47-year-old Harrison L. Jackson of Barboursville into custody without further incident.
The shelter in place order for the surrounding area was lifted once Jackson was taken into custody.
Jackson is charged with a felony count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder of law enforcement officers among other charges.
Jackson is currently held without bond in Culpeper County Jail.
Jolanda M. Frye of Culpeper was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 47-year old’s body has been taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in Manassas for examination.
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FCSO arrest two juveniles at the scene of a burglary
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) reports the arrest of two juveniles at the scene of a burglary.
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Deputies reported to the reported burglary in progress August 20.
At approximately 8:30 a Deputy responded to the attempted burglary at a market on Catlett Road near Warrenton.
On arrival the Deputy located two males at the front of the store with the front glass of the market smashed with a metal pipe.
The Deputy demanded the two surrender, one did but the other fled on a bicycle.
That person was apprehended shortly after by another Deputy arriving on the scene.
Due to their age identities were not disclosed but it was found they both live in Washington DC.
One of the juveniles was reported missing.
Two red capital bikeshare bicycles were recovered from the juveniles.
Both males have been charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglarious tools and destruction of property.
The juvenile that fled has also been charged with obstruction of justice.
Both have been detained on juvenile petitions and transported to the Loudoun County Juvenile detention center.
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Winchester man is involved in a fatal crash in Fauquier Co.
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) reports that a Winchester man was involved in a fatal crash after striking a train.
In the early morning hours of August 2 a FCSO Deputy observed a 2015 Honda Accord going 97 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone on Route 17.
The deputy traveling in the southbound lane used the median to begin pursuit of the northbound vehicle.
The driver’s high speed prevented the deputy from catching up as the Honda reached even higher speeds heading north toward Marshall.
The first deputy discontinued his pursuit as a precautionary safety measure toward other drivers and pedestrians.
A second deputy was able to pick up pursuit once the vehicle was in Marshall.
The first deputy entered Route 66 west to find the vehicle.
At this encounter the driver was exceeding 115 miles per hour and went back onto Route 17.
The driver of the Honda was driving erratically and at higher speeds through Delaplane passing multiple vehicles at a railroad crossing.
At the railroad crossing the Honda struck the side of a moving train.
The pursuing deputy immediately extinguished a fire in the engine bay of the vehicle and rendered first aid to injured passengers.
A 20-year-old passenger from Leesburg was transported to Winchester Medical Center.
An 18-year-old female passenger from Berryville and the driver of the Honda were both flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.
The female passenger succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Jeremiah Greenfield of Winchester.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from Winchester.
Charges are pending in the ongoing investigation of the crash.
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Drug arrest made after overdose of 13 year old girl
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) announced an arrest on Thursday, May 25th for the man believed to be the distributor of drugs that led to the overdose of a 13 year old girl.
On Tuesday, May 23, officers received a report about the young girl’s overdose that was later linked to LSD, a potent psychedelic drug, and psilocybin, commonly known as shrooms.
During the investigation of the overdose, officers identified contact information for the distributor.
Officers contacted the distributor posing as a juvenile and arranged a sale in Marshall.
The suspect, identified as Shayan Seifazadeh, 18 of Ashburn, was arrested at the location for the sting and officers located LSD and MDMA in a search of his vehicle.
He was arrested on multiple counts including, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution to a minor of a Schedule I or II substance.
He is being held at Fauquier County Adult Detention Center without a bond.
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Fauquier County Chief Deputy recognized by VSI
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office announced that Chief Deputy, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen “Chad” Brubaker received the Virginia Sheriff’s Institute Certification designation at their annual conference held in Roanoke on Thursday.
VSI in collaboration with the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Virginia Center for Policing designed the certification program to promote, recognize, and elevate the continued professional development of sheriffs and deputies in the state.
Lieutenant Colonel Brubaker far surpassed the minimum levels of certification following a long, voluntary process after demonstrating progressive education, training, and advanced professional development combined with years of practical experience.
Brubaker has proudly served over 20 years and is an experienced K9 handler, training academy instructor, and graduate of the FBI’s National Academy.
His certification not only recognizes his commitment to lifelong learning but all of Fauquier County’s advancement in public safety.
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FCSO seeks information on possible arson cases
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) along with the Fauquier County Fire Marshal’s Office (FCFMO) is attempting to identify individuals in possible arson cases.
The subjects were involved in arson and destruction of property incidents in the Vint Hill area of Fauquier County.
The first incident occurred at the Vint Hill Barracks where the subjects are suspected of setting furniture on fire.
The second incident occurred in the Bludau Drive area where several windows were broken to gain entry.
Once inside the trio started a small fire and cut power to the building.
The three individuals look to be school age with pictures available here.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the FCSO at 540-347-3300.
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VSP/FCSO investigate accidents that shutdown 66 for 8 hours
Virginia State Police (VSP) and Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) report responding to an accident at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 8.
An RV collided with a tractor trailer while both vehicles were traveling east on interstate 66 at mile marker 16.
The impact caused the RV to run off the road through a guardrail and down an embankment.
Further information as the investigation continues reports at least 8 victims in the incident.
Some victims were ejected some were trapped in vehicles.
Virginia State Police confirm at least one person was killed in the accident.
Fauquier County Authorities report being able to clear the scene and restore all lanes of traffic both east and west bound at 4:30 this morning.
During the clean up and response to the incident both east and west bound lanes of 66 were closed and detours were in place for close to 8 hours.
Helicopters were deployed to transport the most critical patients while lower priority patients were transported by ground units.
The Virginia State Police continue to investigate the incident with additional details expected.
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