Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
Verbatim release from Nelson CA’s office
FROM:DANIEL L RUTHERFORD, NELSON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY.
Thursday morning, Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Daniel Rutherford announced that on August 7, 2019, a jury in Nelson County convicted Leslie Bishop Sr, from Staunton, of racketeering. The jury recommended a total of 5 years incarceration for the charge.
Leslie Bishop Sr. was charged with one count of racketeering for his involvement in a corrupt organization of individuals that trafficked drugs into Nelson County and Central Virginia from November 1, 2016 through November 1, 2018. This charge stems from a lengthy investigation by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office, the Skyline Drug Task Force, the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement (J.A.D.E.) Task Force, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Nelson County.
The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict. After further deliberation on sentencing, including evidence of the defendant’s previous convictions, the jury recommended a sentence of 5 years for the racketeering.
Daniel Rutherford, the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Erik Laub, the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, prosecuted this case. Dana Cormier from Staunton, Virginia represented Leslie Bishop, Sr.
“The jury’s finding represents a unique accomplishment by the Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office. We have used a legal tool by which those that participate in complex criminal organizations trafficking drugs can be prosecuted for their participation both inside and outside of Nelson County.”
Formal sentencing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on November 12, 2019 in the Nelson County Circuit Court.
Daniel Rutherford
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Nelson County.
