Busted – Hampden-Sydney Freshman Arrested on Weapons, Drug Charges

FARMVILLE – A Hampden-Sydney student was arrested after an April 21, 2016 search of his vehicle revealed “a large amount of suspected marijuana, over $6,000.00 in US currency, and prescription drugs.”

Prince Edward County General District court records show Bradford Cooke Sprouse, age 18 of Chesterfield, Va., has been charged with underage possession of alcohol, carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of possession of stolen property and possession of marijuana. A press release from the Hampden-Sydney College Campus Police Chief Scott Williams lists additional charges that were not yet evident in court records including two additional charges of possession of stolen property, distribution of marijuana, and distribution of marijuana within the property of a college.

On the afternoon of April 19, 2016, a HSC Police Officer was “conducting foot patrol in the area of Fraternity Circle in reference to recent burglary and larcenies in the last month.” (Crime statistics available on HSC’s website show 12 reports of burglary and 17 reports of larceny since March.)

The release continues, “…as he passed a 2002 Silver Ford Explorer, he observed a shotgun in the front seat of the vehicle.  The officer was able to determine the operator of the vehicle as Hampden-Sydney freshman Bradford Sprouse (18 yoa) of Chesterfield, Virginia.”

“Hampden-Sydney College has a policy where all firearms used for hunting or target shooting should be registered with the Campus Police and the weapon should be secured in the Police Station when not used.  Handguns are not allowed on campus.”

While retrieving these weapons, probable cause was developed for a search of the vehicle where numerous firearms, hunting equipment, alcohol, coolers and drug paraphernalia were discovered including: one .45 caliber Beretta handgun, two Benelli shotguns, a .308 Remington rifle, a Romania Facugir 7.62×39 rifle, a Mathew compact hunting bow, 10 42-round magazines for the 7.62×39 rifle, two full boxes of .45 caliber ammunition, one partial box of .45 caliber ammunition, one partial box of .243 ammunition, one partial box of .308 ammunition, two boxes of 45-70 ammunition, 22 boxes (440 rounds) of 7.62×39 ammunition, assorted shotgun shells and two glass marijuana smoking devices.

“A loaded handgun was found directly under the driver’s seat.  During the investigation it was determined that a shotgun, a compact hunting bow, and a pair of binoculars recovered were actually stolen in burglaries that occurred over the past months on campus.”

“On April 21, 2016, information was developed and a search warrant was obtained for the room of the student in Cushing Residence hall.  More items were found inside the room that matched the description of items stolen over the past few months.  Moreover, information was developed that led back to the 2002 Silver Ford Explorer.  After the search of the vehicle, a large amount of suspected marijuana, over $6,000.00 in US currency, and prescription drugs were located in the vehicle.  The student did not make a statement.”

The press release concludes, “Please note that Mr. Sprouse is no longer enrolled at the college” followed with an indication that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending.

At the April 26, 2016 arraignment hearing, Sprouse was assigned a court date of August 22. Court documents show that Sprouse was released on a $5,000 secured bond.