The leader of what may have been the largest crack cocaine ring to ever operate in Halifax County used young girls and men to transport drugs in their body cavities. That and other details of what was described as "New York street methods" resulted in the importation of approximately $1.2 million worth of crack cocaine into Halifax County in an 18-month period.
Convicted last week in U.S. District Court in Danville of drug trafficking and weapons charges was the kingpin of that operation, 26-year-old Arthur A. Outlaw (AKA - Aceyon Rogers and Ace) of Ridge Street, South Boston.
Outlaw, they say, hired girls to transport the cocaine in their vagina in amounts ranging from five to eight ounces. Men were hired to conceal the drug in their anal cavity.
In addition to his South Boston address, Outlaw maintained residences in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and Spartanburg, S.C. Drug agents say that he was responsible for the importation of over 35 kilos of crack cocaine from New York to South Boston.
During the three-day trial, agents told how Outlaw managed drug operations in the Town of South Boston as well as in Spartanburg, S.C.
Outlaw's arrest on October, 13, 2000, followed a three-year investigation by the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force. He could be sentenced to between 35 years and life in prison.
Drug enforcement agents say they intend file additional charges against Outlaw's co-conspirators and will seize vehicles, residences and other property used in connection with what may have been the largest crack cocaine ring to ever operate in Halifax County.
Assisting in the investigation were the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney's office, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Virginia State Police, South Boston Police and Halifax County Sheriff's office.
Conner to stay out of the Belk store in South Boston.

Michael Lee Anderson, 18, of Philpott Road in South Boston, has been arrested and charged with breaking and entering Dollar General Distribution Center as the result of an indictment handed down last week by a Halifax County grand jury.
Anderson is charged b with breaking and entering Dollar General Distribution Center with the intent to commit larceny, attempting to take merchandise valued over $200, and damaging a box trailer.
The alleged offenses occurred on November 29, 2000.

The Halifax County Redistricting Advisory Committee got its first look at the new census count data for the state, county and town levels at its meeting Thursday night.
Carol Corker, senior planner for the Southside Planning District Commission, presented data that reflected a total county population of 37,355, an increase of 1,325 or 3.7 percent over 1990.
Of that total, 14,824 or 39.7 percent were non-white.
According to the new data, the population of South Boston is 8,491, Halifax is 1,389.
The populations of Scottsburg and Virgilina are 145 and 159 respectively.
"The good news is that the numbers came in two weeks before the deadline," said Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan.
"The challenge will be to load them up correctly."
That challenge will be forthcoming, because the new data cannot be studied until a computer program compatible with the new census numbers can be readied.
Working with Corker, Morgan plans to have the data loaded and ready for a committee work session, scheduled for Thursday, March 29, in order for committee members to examine the change in population by citizens and by race at the census block level.
That work session is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the county administration building.
Morgan suggested that committee members make use of subcommittees to assist with review of changes between adjacent districts, and that each committee member suggest one change in redistricting for his staff to develop.
The committee also discussed a recent South Boston Town Council resolution supporting two election districts within the town.
The unanimous resolution asks that the Halifax County Board of Supervisors give serious consideration to the establishment of two comprehensive election districts for the Town of South Boston.
Council maintains that South Boston incorporates an estimated one-fourth of Halifax County's citizens.
Current county representation of South Boston residents is spread across a single comprehensive election district and portions of five other election districts. Residents complain about having to drive considerable distances to polling places in order to vote.
While discussing the resolution, Morgan noted that South Boston did not have enough people to qualify for two election districts and that additional county residents would have to be drawn in.
A consensus was reached among the committee that consideration be given to planning for the fewest possible districts for South Boston (two) and Halifax (one). The committee is asking that consideration be given to the creation of a ninth election district if it allows for fewer election districts in towns or enhances minority voting strength.
The committee also asks that natural geographic features such as rivers, non-road delineations, power lines and railroads be used as district boundary lines whenever possible.
Corker said that she would work to have the data by census block available for committee members as soon as possible. She offered a hypothetical plan based on 1990 census data as an example of the product that the committee might expect to evaluate once the 2000 detailed census data is available.
Committee Chairman Garland Ricketts requested that computers be made available at the county administration building for committee members to use in planning.
Once computer access is made available, committee members will be alerted to a daytime orientation session prior to the scheduled work session.

A mobile home fire took the life of a Vernon Hill man early Friday morning making it the third victim of a house fire within three months.
Gatha Wagstaff Dunn, 67, of Dunn Trail, was found dead by Oak Level volunteer firefighters near the front door after the 1:30 a.m. fire was contained.

Halifax County Sheriff's Deputy Captain Larry Fears said the cause of the fire was unknown, however, no foul play is suspected.
An investigation continues and is being conducted by the sheriff's office.
Dunn's body was taken to Richmond for a medical examiner to provide an autopsy.
John Dunn, a brother of the deceased, said he woke up and saw a light across the street from his residence.
"I could see the fire burning in the bedroom and living room," Dunn said.
Dunn attempted to reach the trailer, however, he said, the heat drove him back.
Gatha Dunn was the father of two children, a son, Gatha Jr., who is in the U.S. Army and stationed in Chicago, and a daughter, Denise, who is married and living in Philadelphia.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be made until the autopsy has been completed.
Dunn is the third victim of a fire within a year that involves an older male living alone.
Henry Lee Jones of West Store Road in Nathalie and Deck Barbour of Leda Road also died from house fires that occurred in December.

By Doug Loftis
Calvin Boxley is still working on his first million...pizza deliveries that is. His record was 57 delivers in a single day.
As for smiles, Boxley doesn't keep count.
So what's it like delivering Domino's pizzas?
As only Boxley can put it..."it's a blast!"
The 44-year old South Boston man was hired by Domino's Pizza franchisee Jerry Messick almost 10 years ago. While no stranger to the food services business, delivering pizzas part-time was not exactly the kind of work Boxley had been accustomed to.
He grew up in South Boston, did a hitch in the Army and landed in Richmond where he worked as a chef for such trendy establishments as TGI Friday's Victoria Station, Darrell's and Commonwealth Park.
An admitted workaholic, Boxley often held down two chef's positions at one time and loved every minute of it.
But behind all the smiles, there is pain.
Boxley suffers with sickle cell anemia (SCA), an hereditary blood disease that causes the red blood cells to make abnormal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of blood that carries oxygen in the body. When red blood cells of people with sickle cell disease don't get enough oxygen, these cells change shape and become longer and curved and look like the blade of cutting tool called a "sickle."
When sickle cells get stuck in blood vessels and keep blood from reaching parts of the body, it can be extremely painful and can damage the body's internal organs. This is called a "sickle cell crisis."
"I'm constantly in pain," said Boxley whose patented smile seemed to fade for just a moment.
As bad as the pain is, it may have paled in comparison to the stroke that Boxley suffered in 1989.
The stroke affected Boxley's left side, his speech and his ability to work as a chef. For almost a year following his stroke, Boxley remained on full disability while undergoing comprehensive vocational and rehabilitative treatment at Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center at Fishersville in Augusta County, services that were coordinated locally with Ned Strange at the Rehabilitative Services Department of South Boston.
"That's what lead me back (to South Boston)," said Boxley, who, following rehab, was hired by Messick as a part-time pizza deliveryman.
Boxley gradually assumed full-time work responsibilities but was periodically forced to enter the hospital for treatment of pain associated with sickle cell crises. Pain that he describes as "unbelievable" can only be endured "when they knock me out."
The pain never completely goes away but it's been almost three years since Boxley has had to deal with a sickle cell crisis. He loads up with vitamins and takes medication daily.
"I feel good!" said Boxley while carefully packaging two large pizzas in an insulated carrier for a lunchtime delivery. Boxley not only delivers but takes orders, makes pizzas and usually works from 60 to 65 hours a week.
Many of Domino's customers request that Boxley make the delivery. He knows his customers and where they live. "I know where to go," said Boxley whose tips generally range from $2 to $5. He once walked away with an $18 tip!
"I just love to meet people...love kids," said the father of three children of his own and stepfather to his wife Jennie's daughter.
"God's been good to me," said this man of faith. "I know He's there."
Boxley is convinced that he's at his best when at work. "I just feel better."
Only his employer can top that.
"I owe a lot of my success to him," said Messick whose seemingly endless search for pizza delivery persons never ends. Last year he hired a total of 92 persons to maintain a staff of generally 15 drivers and 10 insider workers.
Domino's Pizza has recognized Boxley and four other drivers for their performance in delivering pizzas quickly and safely. None were allowed to have any safety violations.
The five Domino's Pizza drivers and their spouses are receiving an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, May 13-16, where they will compete for a top prize of $5,000.
"I feel like I've already won," said Boxley whose wife will be flying for the first time in her life. "This will be like a honeymoon," said the groom of four years.
And yes, Calvin and Jennie Boxley admit to eating pizza at least once a week. "If it's Domino's!"

By Joe Chandler
One day, one game, at a time.
That's the philosophy second-year Halifax County High School varsity boys baseball coach Kelvin Davis uses.
It is a philosophy that Davis will carry onto the field today when his team opens its 2001 season this afternoon in a game against Heritage High School in Lynchburg.
That philosophy helped carry the Comets to an 18-3 mark and a trip to the Northwest Region playoffs a year ago.
"I don't want to put a lot of pressure on these guys," Davis pointed out.
"I don't say what we're going to do as far as our record is concerned or how far we're going to go. Something can happen at any time. We just want to go out there, take each game as it comes, do our best and see what happens."
Davis' philosophy is his mental approach to the game. His focus is to prepare the team mentally for what lies ahead.
"The game of baseball, I feel, is more mental than physical," Davis pointed out.
"My philosophy is to get the team mentally prepared. Just about all of these guys have played baseball since elementary school. They have experience and they know the game. They have accepted my philosophy. They understand now what it takes to come out and concentrate on every single pitch."
Davis enjoyed a stellar season last year in his debut year at the helm of the Comets baseball program. While it was a season in which Davis saw a lot of success, it was also a learning season.
"Anytime you get a year of experience under your belt it's big," Davis said.
"I learned a lot in dealing with the day-to-day situations that come up. I learned a lot of things on the business side. I learn something new every day. I try to be open -minded and learn things from the guys and my assistant coaches."
The response that has come back to Davis from the players and assistant coaches has been very positive.
"I think the players have responded to me very well," Davis said.
"I feel like the coaching staff has responded to me very well as well. I feel like we have accomplished some positive things. I think we're going to continue doing positive things."
Baseball is an inherent part of Davis.
The game flows through Davis. It's a part of what and who Davis is.
"Baseball has been in my system a long time," Davis said.
"I have enjoyed baseball and playing baseball a long time. I feel like I know the game well. As coaches we all have our own way of doing certain things. But when it comes to it, it's all basically the same."
Davis was aggressive baseball player in high school and college. That aggressiveness is something he attempts to instill in his team.
"I was aggressive when I played the game," Davis said.
"I instill in the guys I want them to be aggressive. I really think these like going out and making things happen. They know what I expect them to do and they go out and do it."

Raymond Hagood 'Honey' Francisco, 67, of 5100 Bethel Road, Scottsburg, died March 12 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Francisco was born in Halifax County on January 14, 1934, the son of Edward J. Francisco and Eva Frenchie Franklin Francisco and was married to Betty Owen Francisco. He was a member and past deacon of Bethel Baptist Church, and was a member of the Masonic French Lodge #270, Liberty.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Margaret Francisco of Ft. Polk, La.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly F. and Freddie Newby of South Boston and Karen F. and Harry Yeaman of Hampton; five grandchildren, Harry L. Yeaman III, Freddie Newby III, Clinton Yeaman, James Newby, and Brason Francisco; two brothers, Harry Francisco of Richmond and Ronnie Francisco of Scottsburg; five sisters, Louise Fallen of Rice, Ruby Williams of Scottsburg, Margaret Bowman and Peggy Press, both of Chesterfield, and Rebecca Hodges of Richmond.
Funeral services for Mr. Francisco were held March 15 at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tony Brooks officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites.

Tate Harvey Brown, retired textile executive and founder of Medical Textiles, Inc., died March 18, 2001.
He is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Thursey Hudgens; daughters, Bertha Harper, of Bracey; Dorothy Hodges, of Richmond and Peggy Allen, of Scottsburg; sons, Paul, of South Hill; and Merrill, of Canada; brothers, James of Birmingham, Alabama, Odis, of Jacksonville Alabama and Willie, of Anniston, Alabama; twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Gordon, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at Crestview Memorial Park, South Hill.