THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100240
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LYNN WALTZ, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 49 lines
Four Peninsula men were found guilty Monday of running a violent drug ring in and around James City County, the first convictions to result from a federal and local task force formed to combat violence in the area.
The ring was responsible for extensive violence, including the 1988 slaying of a Denbigh English teacher, the mother of a 17-year-old girl.
``This is a big victory,'' said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Smythers. ``These were some of the more serious targets (the task force) was looking at.''
Courtney Floyd Gregory, Ernest Sterling Wright, Larry Eugene Reed and Scott Willian Lee were convicted on drug conspiracy charges. Each faces 30 years to life and will be sentenced in December.
Reed was responsible for two murders, including the slaying of Maxine Menzel Amos on Sept. 25, 1988, according to court papers. Amos was forced at gunpoint to a tree near the Chickahominy River in James City County, shot three times in the head and left to die.
The 39-year-old Toano woman had been visiting her parents to celebrate her birthday. She had decided to stay home that Sunday while they went to church. The killer took $40, a .22-caliber rifle and two 12-gauge shotguns from the house.
Reed and alleged co-conspirator Wright are both cousins of Marty Wright, indicted last year as the alleged leader of one of three drug gangs that controlled territories in Williamsburg and in James City and New Kent counties.
The three gangs allegedly staked out separate territories and worked as friendly competitors. However, prosecutors say the gangs used considerable violence, including beatings, shootings and murder.
More than 30 people have been indicted in three related cases. But most have been held up due to allegations that prosecutors unfairly targeted blacks for prosecution.
Wright and two other alleged leaders, Anthony L. Olvis and Terry D. Jones, are in custody awaiting an appeal by prosecutors after their charges were dismissed by a federal judge who said they may have been unfairly prosecuted.
Prosecutors say the task force has had an impact on the neighborhoods in James City County.
``It's much more peaceful,'' Smythers said. ``Random gunfire is no longer a daily occurrence. We've gotten a lot of these bad guys off the street.''
The Colonial Narcotics Enforcement Task Force in James City County is made up of James City County police, Middlesex County and New Kent County sheriffs, Virginia State Police and the FBI.
KEYWORDS: DRUG RING MURDER by CNB