A former Halifax County resident, Phillip Henry Barfield, 44, formerly of Paradise Road in the Alton community pled guilty Wednesday to multiple counts of distribution of, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected, according to Pulliam.
Barfield also pled guilty to operating a multi-state drug conspiracy since January 1990.
His sentencing date is scheduled for April 15, at which time he will face a sentence of four life terms plus 30 years.
He entered his plea just before his jury trial was to commmence in United States district Court in Wilmington, N.C.
The Barfield trial was the result of an intense three-year investigation into a multi-state drug ring importing large quantities of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine into Virginia and North Carolina.
The investigation was a collaboration between the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI), the FBI, and the sheriff's department of Brunswick County, N.C., and the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
The distribution charges involve quantities of over five kilograms of cocaine, over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and over 500 grams of a methamphetamine substance.
Also arrested in the investigation was Charity Dawn Thompson Barfield, 27, formerly of Paradise Road in Alton, Dennis Howard Barfield aka "Bud", 72, of Newton Grove, N.C., Michael Crumbly, 36, of Gastonia N.C. and Spencer Barfield, 43 of Newton Grove, N.C.
Charity Barfield, Michail Crumbley and Spencer Barfield each pled guilty to their charges and are facing 10 years to life when sentenced, according to Major R.S.B. Pulliam.
"Bud" Barfield's charges were dismissed because he was deemed incompetent by the court.
The arrest phase of the investigation began on March 5, 2001, when agents executed federal search warrants at the Watershed Road Newton Grove, N.C., residence of Phillip Henry Barfield and at the Harper House Road Newton Grove, N.C., residence of "Bud" Barfield.
Seized at Phillip Barfield's residence was a methamphetamine laboratory in a building attached to the residence, a quantity of methamphetamines, records, numerous firearms, ammunition, a truck, tractor and numerous stolen items, including two four-wheelers and a lawn mower.
Seized from a building on the "Bud" Barfield property were a methamphetamine laboratory and a copper "moonshine" still.
The United States Attorney's Office in Raleigh, N.C. prosecuted the case.

By KEITH STRANGE
Solutions were few, but legislators pledged their support to Southside Virginia during an economic summit held Saturday at the Clarksville Community Center.
An estimated 250 people gathered at the center to meet with the state and federal legislators.
The two-hour meeting, spearheaded by Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode, comes in the wake of announcements earlier this month that textile giant Burlington Industries will close plants in both Halifax and Clarksville.
The closings will claim the jobs of some 1,400 people.
The meeting was designed as an opportunity for area residents to hear from their leaders at all levels of government and to express their concerns.
"We must do what we can in the short-term and build for the future," Sen. George Allen said. "Stay strong, keep fighting. We will prevail.
"And I want you all to know that we up here don't have the answers, but we're working hard to try to get you people some help," he added.
In addition to Goode and Allen, the meeting featured Virginia Secretary of Commerce Michael J. Schewel, Senator Frank Ruff, Delegates Tommy Wright and Clarke Hogan, Clarksville Mayor Benjy Burnett, and Halifax County Board of Supervisors' Chairman David Martin.
A representative from Senator John Warner's office was on hand to meet with constituents on a one-on-one basis following the meeting.
Legislators said that while much can and will be done over the next several months to help people affected by massive job loss in Halifax and Mecklenberg counties, it will be the long-term solutions of bringing new businesses and industries to the area that will secure and strengthen the future of Southside Virginia.
"I want to say face to face to you all that I know that things are not so great," Allen told the crowd.
He said that he realizes there is an enormous concern in the area about the loss of jobs in the textile industry.
"I know that people want to be able to remain in Southside, but the problem isn't unique to Southside," the former governor said.
He added that although legislators are working on short-term solutions now, it will be the long-term plans to make the region's infrastructure solid for future industrial and business growth.
The senator said that some of the short-term solutions they are working on will be an extension in unemployment benefits, plans for laid-off workers to continue their health benefits without the creation of additional bureaucracy to slow the process, and transitional assistance for workers who lose their jobs because of international competition.
Another proposal is the Homestead Preservation Act, which would provide low-interest loans to allow people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own to continue to make their mortgage payments.
"People at least would not be losing their homes while trying to get back on their feet," Allen said.
Long-term, Allen would like to see U.S. 58 completely widened to improve transportation, broad-band Internet access along the e-58 corridor and job re-training for displaced workers.
He cited travel and tourism, the promising future of Star Tobacco in Chase City and the strong and loyal work ethic of Southside's workforce as positives for the region.
"We need to promote the fact that people in Southside have a good work ethic," the former governor added.
"This isn't a new problem," said Hogan, R-South Boston. "We have talked about it and we have studied it. I think what the people in this room want is results," he added.
Hogan added that while the short-term solutions offered will certainly help, bringing businesses to Southside is the only answer to the problem.
"It comes down to selling these communities, (letting people know) that this is the place to do business," he said.
Supervisor David Martin said that we must change the perception of Southside if we are going to compete in a sluggish economy.
Martin added that he was pleased to see the region's leaders participating in the meeting.
"I'd just like to offer you all on this panel my sincere appreciation for your progressive thinking in having this meeting," he added.
"There has been a lot of focus on things that are negative..." Martin said.
"A change is in order. We need to change the perception of Southside Virginia as it pertains to the state, the nation and the world.
"We need to focus on the workforce- the highly motivated, hard-working, quick-to-learn working men and women of Southside. We don't have a problem with training," he continued.
Martin also noted the opportunities available through the Virginia Higher Education Center in Halifax County, and cited the need for a regional approach to marketing the region.
"We can't just work on our own communities. We need to band together and fight for a solution," Martin said.
Schewel, who has been on the job with Governor Mark Warner only two weeks, said the administration is committed to helping Southside Virginia with its employment problems, adding that the office's economic crisis strike force would be tackling those issues in the coming weeks.
Local Leaders Comment
Members of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors who attended the meeting came out feeling grateful that state and national legislators are sympathetic to the problems of Southside.
Supervisors Martin, Ronnie Vaughan and Lottie Nunn all said that they were appreciative that the legislators took the time to come down for the meeting.
"I think people are looking to their leaders right now to help us get through this economic downturn in the economy," Martin said.
Nunn said that with so many positive meetings taking place and so much talent in Southside, she is hopeful that industry will come to the region.
"It may not be a Burlington Industries or a JPS, but I think we will move forward with some smaller industries," she said.
She said that here in Southside we have the best people in the world. If we can work together to show others the benefits of the region, we will have a positive impact on the economy.
"What I saw at the meeting Saturday is a group of people who are concerned and are trying to work together," Nunn added.
Vaughan said that while he felt grateful to the leaders for coming to the area and listening, he was disappointed that the legislators didn't have any concrete answers.
"They had some good ideas as far as unemployment is concerned, but I wanted to hear something about the strike force.
"The strike force was brought up at our retreat, and I was looking forward to hearing more about it," he added.
"I personally left the meeting with more questions than answers," Vaughan said.
Vaughan said that he feels that the region has a lot to offer, and isn't getting the positive attention it deserves.
"Everywhere you go, you hear about the problems of Southside, and we have a lot to offer.
"We as citizens of Southside Virginia need to stop talking about the negatives and start to focus on what we have and what we can do to move forward," he added.
Martin echoed the sentiment.
"I want to see Southside focus more on what we have instead of the negatives," he said.
The chairman also said that he's encouraged that the state and national legislators from the region came away from Saturday's meeting with a better understanding of the challenges we face.
"Hopefully, they will go back knowing that we are trying to do things to help ourselves," he said.
"By tying in the new perception of Southside with an aggressive approach to the economy, we can move forward," he added..
Martin added that he wanted to show the legislators that "we aren't just sitting around down here with our hands out."
He added that the supervisors are putting together a plan and a commission so that they can work with the legislators to better the community.
Vaughan summed up the local leaders feelings:
"We're a diamond here in Southside Virginia. All we have to do is brush the dust off and let people see what we've got."

A 6:30 p.m. public hearing to discuss seeking E-911 center funding assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, is on tonight's county supervisors' agenda.
Supervisors are considering the action on behalf of the county's E-911 Board of Directors for construction of a consolidated Emergency Communications Center.
Tonight's meeting is a joint meeting with the towns of South Boston, Halifax, Scottsburg and Virgilina. The regular session gets under way at 6 p.m. at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Supervisors are also expected to receive a resolution of opposition to inclusion of high speed steel imported by a local company, Bohler-Udde-Holm, in a proposed tool steel category subject to high tariff. The case is pending presidential approval.
The specialty metals company is located on Eastover Drive in South Boston.
A presentation by the Halifax Woman's Club is also on the agenda.
Legislative issues on the agenda include a review of House Bill 1212, which addresses manufactured homes in all residential zones.
Also included on the agenda, an update on budget cuts, including the Comprehensive Services Act - medicaid funding change - with a cost to the county of $239,826; the proposed cut to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and other proposed state cuts.
The governing bodies will also review a proposal by Henry County to the U.S. Congress seeking federal assistance through a Free Trade Impact Zones (FTIZ) Act. The proposal would apply to local governments under 175,000 population.
The legislation would stimulate private sector business investment and job creation in communities severely impacted by the trade policies of the United States through the extension of significant limited corporate federal income tax credits and abatements.
Also in the Henry County proposal, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Rural Utility Service, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Dept. of Education would be provided special purpose funding to sustain, extend and rebuild infrastructure necessary to promote business development, maintain public education systems and sustain public utility services in local governments where trade policies of the U.S. have resulted in loss of critical tax and utility revenues.
Other business on the agenda includes: a resolution of endorsement for a Virginia Recreational Trails grant for the Paul C. Edmunds Jr. Memorial Park; a resolution of support for Transportation Enhancement Funding of the Prizery Project by the Community Arts Center Foundation; support for a Town of Halifax Streetscape Improvements grant sought by the county/town.

Two men and one woman were arrested Friday by the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force and Halifax County Sheriff's Deputies on charges ranging from abduction to robbery to drug possession.
Robert "Bob" Edward Cole, 18, of MacDonald Road in Scottsburg was charged with robbing Randal Overstreet of $480 and abducting Overstreet with the intent to extort money.
Brian Scott Reep, 19, of Hall's Trail in Halifax was charged with robbing Randal Overstreet of $480 and abducting Overstreet with the intent to extort money, stealing a pit bull puppy and television from Judith Hodge.
Sonja Wanet Terry, 27, of MacDonald in Scottsburg was charged with possession of cocaine.
Cole and Reep are currently being held in the Halifax Regional Jail without bond.
Terry was released on a $5,000 secured bond.
The alleged abduction and robbery occurred on January 9 and the alleged theft of the dog and television on January 22.
In other reports, Eugene Lee Skipworth, 18, of Berry Hill Road in South Boston was arrested on January 24 and charged with felony breaking and entering by Deputy T.C. Spencer.
The alleged offense occurred on September 10, 2001.
Steven Joe Meadows, 42, of Beagle Gap Run in Waynesboro was arrested Friday and charged with possession of Oxycodone by deputy Q.W. Clark.
The alleged offense occurred on September 5, 2001.
Kenneth Lee Jones, 37, of Piney Ridge Road in Nathalie was arrested Saturday and charged with grand larceny by deputy T.C. Spencer.
The alleged offense occurred on January 4.

Halifax County turned up the heat on Patrick Henry in the second half and the Patriots wilted.
Using its stifling pressure defense to hold Patrick Henry to 13 points in the second half, Halifax County overcame a 17-point second-half deficit to score a 68-60 win over the Patriots here Friday night in a key Western Valley District game.
"These guys are resilient - they didn't stop," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard after the win that lifted his team (12-3 overall, 3-2 district) into third place in the Western Valley District standings and dropped the Patriots into fourth place.
"No matter what we, as coaches, say or what we do, to do what happened tonight takes a lot of heart from the guys on the floor.
"We called some good things from the bench and had some good setups," Dillard added.
"But, when you're down by 17, you either have guys that are going to have the heart to win or you have guys that are going to lie down and die and say we'll come back next week. These guys have the heart to win."
The Comets' pressure defense, which seemed ineffective at times in the first half, took its toll on Patrick Henry in the second half as the Patriots scored only six points in the third period and seven points in the fourth quarter.
Halifax County forced Patrick Henry into making 24 turnovers in the contest, 16 of which came in the second half.
Eleven of the turnovers resulted from steals by the Comets, most of which came in the second half.
Halifax County trailed by 17 points at 49-32 after the Patriots canned the opening shot of the second half.
Sterling Williams, whose 17 points followed Anthony Owen's team-high 18-point night, hit two field goals, one a three-pointer on back-to-back Comets possessions to cut the Comets' deficit to 12 points and start them on the road to recovery.
Owen traded baskets with the Patriots twice in the middle stages of the third quarter to keep the Comets within a dozen points of the Patriots.
It was all Halifax County in the final three minutes of the quarter but the Comets managed to get only four points down the stretch on baskets from Owen and Andrew Witko to cut the deficit to eight points at 53-25 at the end of the third quarter.
The Comets' flurry late in the third quarter kicked off what was to be a 17-0 run for the Comets that led them from a 12-point deficit to a five -point 58-53 lead with 3:16 to play.
The Comets stole the ball from the Patriots on four of Patrick Henry's first five possessions of the fourth quarter and forced a turnover on the other.
Owen came up with steal on the Patriots' opening possession and took it in for layup.
A Patriots' turnover led to a basket by Shamoni Faulkner that made the score 53-49.
Halifax missed a scoring opportunity after coming up with a steal but made up for it with two steals and two baskets in 12 seconds, one by Owen and one by Faulkner, to tie the game at 53-53 with 5:12 to play.
On Patrick Henry's next possession, Faulkner came up with a steal, lobbed a three-quarter court length pass to Lymon Gregory and Gregory took it in for a layup.
Gregory, who was fouled on the play, hit the free throw to convert a three-point play that gave the Comets the lead for good with 4:31 left in the game.
Another basket by Gregory, that one a tip-in of a miss by Witko, gave the Comets a five-point edge at 58-53 with 3:16 left in the game.
Halifax extended its lead to seven points with a basket from Witko at the 1:40 mark that seemed to all but put the game away.
However, the Patriots, who didn't score their first points of the quarter until there were just over three minutes left to play in the game, answered with a three-pointer from Marlon Kemp with 1:18 left to make it a four-point game.
The Comets still had enough momentum to outscore the Patriots 6-2 in the final 1:09 of the game to secure the eight point win.
"We told the guys at halftime that any time they wanted it (the game) they could get it," Dillard said.
"I felt we could come back and win it by possibly 14 or 15 (points) simply because I saw what we could do when we played and played hard.
"The frustrating thing," Dillard continued, "was we did some good things to start the third quarter but we didn't convert.
"Sterling (Williams) missed a layup," added Dillard, "then we had a steal and threw the ball to Lymon (Gregory) and they (Patrick Henry) stole it back. We had a couple of other looks but didn't finish it."
The Comets struggled through the first half after an 8-0 run by the Patriots early in the first quarter erased a 5-2 Comets lead.
Halifax got back to within a point on two occasions but fell behind 21-16 at the end of the first quarter.
Patrick Henry used a 10-2 run in the first two minutes of the second quarter to stretch their lead to 31-18.
A three-pointer from Williams, a free throw from Jamar Irving and a basket from Faulkner brought the Comets to within six points at 33-27 with 4:22 left in the first half.
An 11-0 run by the Patriots put the Comets behind 44-27 with 2:14 left in the half
A three-pointer from Williams with 28 seconds left in the half cut the Patrick Henry lead to 11 at 44-33.
But a three-pointer by the Patriots' Melvin Smith with a second left put the Comets down by 14 points at intermission.
The Comets hit 41 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the charity stripe in the first half.
However, the Comets had only seven rebounds in the first half and turned the ball over seven times.
"We put up 32 points (in the first half) which is not bad," said Dillard.
"But you have to be disappointed when somebody scores almost 50 points in a half against you.
"We were not getting hands in the (Patrick Henry) shooters' faces and they got several three-pointers which were wide open," added Dillard.
"We were just of standing around and looking and not closing out the way we should have. We didn't have any energy in the first half. It was almost like we expected them to come in here and roll over and die.
"If we had played the first half with the same determination and intensity we played with in the second half, we're up maybe 14 (points) or 15 (points) at the half," continued Dillard.
"I didn't think that what they (Patrick Henry) do would have been enough to come back on us."
Andrew Witko, who scored 10 points and was the third Comets player to hit double figures, led the team in rebound with seven boards.
Faulkner finished the game with nine points and had four steals and three rebounds.
Gregory had five points, blocked five shots and snared three rebounds.
While those were all good performances. Dillard heaped praise on Irving for his effort.
Irving scored seven points for the Comets but, according to Dillard, his overall play made a greater contribution than the points show.
"He (Irving) played a beautiful basketball game," Dillard said.
"If he would do what he did in this game every night there's no telling how good we could be.
"He had seven points," noted Dillard, "had a couple of steals, handled the basketball well, penetrated inside and dished the ball off and was hitting the floor diving after balls."
Danny Whitlock added the final two points to the Comets' total, those coming on two free throws in the second quarter.

Charlie Louis Edmond

Charlie Louis Edmond, 64, of Saxe, died January 24 at The Woodview.
Mr. Edmond was born in Charlotte County on March 12, 1937. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg and a former employee of Burlington Industries, Clarksville.
Survivors include two daughters, Margaret E. Howard and Carol E. Brown, both of Richmond; one son, Charlie Edmond Jr. of Richmond; four grandchildren, Brittany, Sidney, Holli and Stephen; his mother, Inez H. Lambert of Saxe; two sisters, Gail Winn and Irma Edmond, both of Saxe; five brothers, James of Fort Mitchell and Matthew of Saxe, Frederick of Drakes Branch, Marion of Alton and Jerome of Richmond; three half sisters; several half brothers; one daughter-in-law, Danielle Edmond; two sons-in-law, Gregory Howard and Ksaan Brown.
Funeral services for Mr. Edmond was held January 26 at First Baptist Church in Wylliesburg with the Rev. James E. Scott officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Jerry Lawrence Daniel

Jerry Lawrence Daniel, 70, of Richmond, formerly of Buffalo Junction, died January 24 at his home.
Mr. Daniel was born February 24, 1931, the son of the late George Royster Daniel and Naomi Tillotson Daniel. He was retired from Philip Morris and a charter member of the Loyal Order of Moose Manchester Lodge No. 699.
Survivors include his wife, Ila J. Daniel; one brother, Grady B. Daniel of Midlothian; four children, Susan D. Shrewsberry of Roanoke, Jerry Michael Daniel of Halifax, Richard Lynn Joyce and Robin D. Small, both of Richmond; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Daniel will be held today, January 28 at 11 a.m. at Bliley Funeral Home's Chippenham Chapel. Burial will follow in Dale Memorial Park.

Odell Mullis Sr.

Odell Mullis Sr., 78, of 1064 Cole Lane, Scottsburg, died January 27 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Mullis was born in Ash County, N.C. on December 2, 1923, the son of the late George and Mary Mullis, and was married to the late Verna Mozelle Bell Mullis. He was a member of Fork Baptist Church, a Veteran of the US Army and retired from Vulcan Materials.
Funeral services will be held January 29 at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Murray officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Scottsburg.
Survivors of Mr. Mullis include three sons, Richard Mullis and wife, Linda, Odell Mullis Jr. and wife, Dianna, all of Glen Allen and Gary Mullis Sr. of Scottsburg; three daughters, Harriett Mullis of South Boston, Julia Gravitt and Iva Guill and her husband, Garland 'Teto', all of Scottsburg; four brothers, Edward C. Mullis of Golden Valley, Az., Paul Mullis of Ridgeway, Billy 'Pete' Mullis of Rising Sun, Md. and Colbert Mullis of Basset; four sisters, Hazel M. Musick of San Diego, Ca., Faye M. Faulkner of Golden Valley, Az., Julie M. Bowman of Richmond and Geneva M. Jenelle of Santee, S.C.; two granddaughters, Tammy Hilburn and Crystal Hodges; nine grandsons, James Johnson, Garland 'Matt' Guill Jr., Richard 'Rick' Mullis Jr., Michael Gravitt, Eric Mullis, Jon Mullis, Daniel Mullis, Stephen Guill and Gary Mullis Jr.; two great-granddaughters, Kailey Guill and Linda May Mullis; and five devoted family friends, Geneva Jarrett, Evie DeAngelo, Dudley Barksdale, Ollie McLemore and Julian Hudson. Mr. Mullis was preceded in death by two sisters, one brother, and one great-granddaughter.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 28 from 7:00 until 9:00, at Brooks Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider your favorite charity.

Ralph Monroe Martin

Ralph Monroe Martin, 75, of 1112 Monroe Trail, Scottsburg, died January 26 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Martin was born in Halifax County on July 11, 1926, the son of Riley Lee Martin and Minnie M. Martin and was married to Louise M. Martin. He was a member of Clover Church of God of Prophecy.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Monroe and Wayne Martin, both of Scottsburg and David Martin of South Boston; seven daughters, Dorothy Moorefield of South Boston, Lois Brann of Roxboro, N.C., Mavis Martin and Joyce Newcomb, both of Clover, Judy Newcomb and Sheila Lacks, both of Scottsburg and Vicky Lacks of Saxe.; one brother, Ollie Martin of Scottsburg; one sister, Betty Martin of South Boston; 21 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda Hughes; one granddaughter, Kelly Martin and by one great-grandson, Clifton Pruitt.
Services for Mr. Martin will be held January 29 at 2 p.m. at Clover Church of God of Prophecy with the Rev. Courtney Coffer officiating. Burial will take place in Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, January 28, from 7:00 until 9:00, and other times at the home.