ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A prominent Narrows contractor was indicted Tuesday on two charges stemming from a February drug investigation.
The Giles County grand jury indicted Allen R. Neely, owner of Allen R. Neely Construction Co., for possession of crack cocaine and conspiracy to possess crack cocaine, court records show.
The Narrows Police Department investigated Neely over a long period of time with the assistance of the state police, said Narrows Officer Kelly Frazier. He would not comment on the amount of crack cocaine involved in the charges or possible future arrests.
Neely could not be reached for comment. He is being represented by James Hartley, the former Giles County prosecutor.
"The so-called investigation by Narrows Police Department was an arrangement whereby they attempted to sell cocaine to Allen," Hartley said. ``Allen looks forward to the resolution of the charges, and I am confident he will be acquitted of all charges."
If convicted, both counts carry potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison each.
The investigation, according to Narrows Police Chief Buck Clemons, began with Neely calling police to report $250 stolen from his truck. When police investigated the complaint, they heard about Neely's alleged involvement with cocaine from the man who had the money, Clemons said. That man was not charged, Clemons said.
Patti Neely, Allen Neely's wife of 12 years, would not comment directly about the charges against her husband. But she noted his work in the community, including labor and materials he and his company have donated to various projects.
She said her husband helped rebuild the Mill Pond Dam in Narrows, installed a handicapped-accessible ramp at the community center and is working with members of a church to install an elevator.
``We just try to help people,'' Patti Neely said.
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