Valania Arrested and Charged with Possession, Intent to Distribute

KEYSVILLE – On June 4, 2021, members of the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force executed a search warrant in the Keysville area of Lunenburg County. The search was the result of an investigation of narcotics distribution in Lunenburg and Charlotte counties. The search resulted in the recovery of heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and United States currency. As a result of the investigation Joseph James Valania (40) of Keysville was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule I/II Drug. 

The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is comprised of narcotics investigators of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police Division III Bureau of Criminal Investigations-Appomattox Field Office. Sheriff Arthur Townsend (Lunenburg) and Sheriff R. S. Freeman (Charlotte) encourage anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at 434-542-5141, Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 434-696-4452, or the VA State Police Drug hotline at 1-800-DOPE (3673). Assisting in the investigation were Deputies from the Lunenburg Co. Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Charlotte Co. Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations, and the Lunenburg County Department of Social Services.