Dog killed, trooper shot in foot during drug raid
Published 4:58 pm Thursday, February 12, 2015
SMITHFIELD
On Feb. 12, the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Virginia State Police Tactical Team, executed a Search Warrant on a residence in the 8700 block of Smithfield Apartments Lane. During the service of that search warrant, a dog in the residence attacked one of the state police team members, said Lisa Martin, IWSO spokeswoman.
The trooper shot another in the foot while firing at the dog during the 6 a.m. operation, said Sgt. Michelle Anaya, spokeswoman for the VSP. The injury wasn’t life-threatening, and that trooper was taken to a hospital, treated and released.
Anaya also said the dog is deceased.
Further, the investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing, and no more information will be provided on the dog incident, Anaya said.
No Isle of Wight County units discharged their weapons during the execution of this search warrant, said Martin. The search warrant was the culmination of an ongoing narcotics investigation by the Meherrin Drug Task Force. As a result, the following three subjects were arrested and charged with:
• Gershon Greene, 30, of the 8700 block of Smithfield Apts. Lane, Smithfield, was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor: Possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute imitation cocaine; possess ammunition by a convicted felon; and possession of marijuana.
• Derrick L. Delk, 21, of the 5000 block of James Way, Smithfield, was charged with two felonies: Possession of a Schedule III narcotic; and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
• Direka S. Towns, 31, of the 8700 block of Smithfield Apts. Lane, Smithfield, was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor: possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute of Schedule I or II narcotic; possession of a Schedule III narcotic; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
There are also four warrants on file for Patrick Simmons, 27, address unknown.
Simmons is still on the loose, and Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office investigators are seeking information. If you have a tip, you can call the crime line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-5625-8-87)