Update: Amherst Co. High Drug Bust
posted 7:24 pm Fri May 16, 2008 - Amherst Co., VA
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A star quarterback headed to Virginia Tech and a baseball player. Both were arrested Friday as part of an undercover drug investigation inside Amherst County High School.
In all, six Amherst County students and one who transferred out are charged with selling drugs, many times on school grounds, which is a felony.
Investigators say the person they sold to wasn't a student. She was actually an undercover deputy. She posed as a student for ten months. The sheriff's office tells us that deputy was approached to buy everything from marijuana to prescription pills.
18-year-olds Jody Ramsey and Peter Rose said nothing as they walked into the Amherst County Sheriff's Office in handcuffs. Ramsey-- a catcher for the baseball team-- and Rose a star quarterback are charged with distributing drugs. Rose recently signed to play for Virginia Tech.
Sheriff Jimmy Ayers, Amherst County - "They're the kids, they're our kids and when you're dealing with the kids it's emotional."
Sheriff Jimmy Ayers says last August they put an undercover officer in the school. The 23-year-old posed as a high school senior until now, under a fake name.
Undercover Agent, Amherst County Deputy - "At first I just started observing, listening, watching who was saying what."
Two months later she started buying. Deputies took us along to watch her buy drugs from a student outside a fast food restaurant. You can see him get into her car. Deputies stay for the exchange and then he leaves.
Undercover Agent - "It was just random. I was just sitting in class and one of the students approached me and you know asked me if I wanted any and I said, 'Sure.'
Ramsey and Rose are just two of seven students now charged. The school says they tried to get rid of drugs with random searches and drug dogs, but still heard complaints.
Dr. John Walker, Amherst County Superintendent - "I don't think Sheriff Ayers and I would go out on a limb and say that it's eradicated the problem for now and forever."
But they say it's a start.
Ayers - "This is what it took to get into to try to curb some of this activity. You know, that's what it took."
The Sheriff's Office tells us one student is out of town right now, but will be arrested next week. Meanwhile, that undercover deputy is getting back to her real life now, after spending months as a high-schooler.
Press Release from the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office:
As a supplement to the press conference held this morning, the
Amherst County Sheriff's Office is releasing the following additional information relating to the ten month undercover investigation:
As a result of the undercover project, 4 juvenile students and 2 students over the age of 18 have been charged and were arrested this morning for the distribution of marijuana and other drugs. 1 student has been charged, but not arrested yet. During the course of this investigation, 18 purchases of drugs were made from students, 7 of which were made within 1,000 feet of school property.
The adults arrested were:
1. Peter O’Brian Rose, 18 year old male of Edinburg Drive Amherst ; charged with 2 charges of distribution of marijuana, 2 charges of distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school
2. Jody Vaughn Ramsey, an 18 year old male of Elon Road Madison Heights; charged with distribution of marijuana
Three of the juveniles arrested are being detained in the Lynchburg Detention Center. The adults are being processed in the Amherst County Jail at this time. All subjects are pending advisement hearings in Amherst Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or Amherst General District Court depending on their ages at the time of the offense.
This investigation was begun in response to previously received complaints from students, parents, teachers, and the community.
Of the juveniles charged here is the breakdown of charges:
Juvenile # 1 – two charges of distribution of marijuana, one charge of distribution of Imitation cocaine, one charge of distribution of imitation controlled substance on school property
Juvenile # 2 – two charges of distribution of imitation controlled substances, one charge of distribution of marijuana, two charges of distribution of imitation controlled substances on school property,
Juvenile # 3 – two charge of distribution of marijuana, two charges of distribution of imitation schedule II drug, one charge of distribution of a schedule III drug, and two charges of distribution of imitation controlled substances on school property
Juvenile # 4 – two charges of distribution of marijuana
Juvenile # 5 – three charges of distribution of marijuana
Media: copies of photographs of the adults arrested accompany this release. Photos and names of the juveniles arrested will not be released at all. For further information, please contact Sheriff L.J. Ayers III (434-946-9300).
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