Lester O’Neil Woodruff, 57, of Altavista was tried by jury on March 3, 2009 on a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine – third or subsequent offense. The jury convicted Woodruff and recommended that he serve twenty-five years in the penitentiary and pay a $250,000 fine.

The Commonwealth’s evidence established that officers of the Lynchburg Vice/Narcotics Unit engaged the defendant in a consensual encounter which led the officers to discover more than thirty grams of cocaine on the defendant’s person and in his vehicle. In addition to the drugs, officers located approximately $1800 in cash on the defendant and a set of digital scales inside the vehicle. During a subsequent interview of Woodruff, he admitted to having purchased four ounces of cocaine earlier that day, having delivered one ounce before the officers encountered him and having plans to deliver another two ounces to individuals in Halifax County later that evening.

The jury deliberated for approximately thirty minutes before returning a guilty verdict. Woodruff will be formally sentenced by Judge Mosby Perrow, III on April 24, 2009.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Gretchen Hutt.