Aug 21, 2023, News Release

On Thursday, August 17, 2023, as part of a long-term investigation related to an address in the 4400 block of Ruritan Lake Road in Fluvanna County, the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office obtained and executed a search warrant for the property. The Virginia State Police Tactical Team was requested to assist with the execution of the search warrant. Traffic in the area was briefly blocked/diverted as that roadway is narrow and multiple resources were needed to safely secure the scene and conduct the search.

Members of the Fluvanna Department of Social Services and members of the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force were also called to assist. After processing the scene, and based on the evidence identified, three individuals were taken into custody:

Kenneth Allen Walton (34)
Melissa Gail Dudley (37)
Jessie Marie Cromer (28)

Each was charged with four (4) counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one (1) count of Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance, and one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance. All three were held without bond and transported to the Central Virginia Regional Jail without incident.