BY PORTSIA SMITH

A former Westmoreland County School Board member and popular pizzeria owner is one of 21 people arrested this week on felony drug charges.

George "Bryan" Oliff, 49, of Montross, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with five counts of distributing imitation drugs.

Oliff, the owner of Angelo's Pizza, held the Westmoreland School Board's District 3 seat from 2003 until last year.

Two of Oliff's employees at the restaurant were also charged.

Lois Gayle Wright, 36, of Newland, faces two counts of distributing imitation drugs. Josh R. Sanford, 31, faces one count of distributing imitation drugs.

The three are scheduled to appear in Westmoreland Circuit Court on June 1.

Westmoreland County Sheriff C.O. Balderson said that when the controlled substance was tested, it was negative for cocaine or any other Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 drug.

Balderson said Tuesday's arrests were a part of Operation Impact, a yearlong drug investigation by the Tri-County Drug Task Force, which consists of the Westmoreland, Caroline and King George sheriff offices, Virginia State Police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The operation continued on Thursday, when 18 more people were arrested, Balderson said. They include:

William J. Ashe, 52, of Kinsale is charged with two counts each of cocaine distribution and conspiracy.

Aretha Y. Ashton, 44, of Hague is charged with distribution of oxycodone and child abuse/neglect. Her husband, 71-year-old Franklin A. Ashton, is also charged with child abuse/neglect.

Christopher C. Baylor, 49, of Hague and Deborah D. Peyton, 45, of Colonial Beach are both charged with distribution of cocaine and conspiracy.

Anton L. Bibbens, 29; Charles L. Brooks, 28; Maurice S. Lee, 25, all from Hague, and Samuel E. Smith, 27, of Montross are all charged with cocaine distribution.

Kenneth D. Honor II, 37, of Newport News is charged with distribution of cocaine--second offense.

DeAndre A. Reed, 22, and Quinton E. Turner, 28, both of Hague, and Michael A. Woodson, 36, of Montross are each charged with two counts of cocaine distribution.

Charles E. Rooney, 45, of Hague and Donald Edwin Carter, 58, of Lottsburg are charged with possession of marijuana. Carter is also charged with conspiracy.

Barbara A. Hinton, 55, of Kinsale is charged with two counts of distribution of oxycodone.

Oscar B. Hackett, 66, of Hague and Kevin M. Johnson, 48, of Montross are both charged with distribution of oxycodone. Johnson is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

All the arrests were made without incident. Court dates for the 18 arrested on Thursday were scheduled for this morning.

Balderson said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending.

The Northern Neck Regional Jail, Colonial Beach Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control assisted with the case, he said.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com