Two of five South Boston men busted by agents with the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force on January 23, were convicted of robbery and illegal drug charges in Circuit Court this week.
Antonio White, a 22-year-old Hoover Street resident and 20-year-old Maurice Lamont Harris, a 2000 Ridge Street resident, were arrested on College Street in South Boston and, in addition to drug charges, were charged with robbery and conspiring with others to commit robbery of Anthony "Tony" Dean Jones.
White, represented by South Boston attorney Mark Thaxton, pleaded guilty to possession and conspiring to distribute cocaine. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted of the robbery charge.
Harris, represented by Halifax attorney James Midkiff, pleaded guilty to all four charges. Both men were returned to jail to await sentencing in July when the court hears presentence reports.
· Alton E. Britton, 36, of Crystal Hill, was found guilty of felony bad check charges stemming from issuance of a $419.83 check to Lowe's on July 20, 2000. He remains free on bond to await sentencing in July.
· Kemberly Denise Corbett, a Greensboro, N.C. resident, was found guilty of forging the name of another person on a Virginia traffic summons in 1998 when she was charged with speeding 73/55 zone. She will be sentenced in July and remains free on bond.
· Gregory K. McDowell of Vernon Hill was convicted by Circuit Court Judge Leslie M. Osborn of breaking and entering property of Phyliss McDowell and grand larceny of stereo. McDowell was given a suspended 20-year sentence in a plea agreement.
· Marco Azeleus Richardson, 24, 3010 Mountain Road, Halifax, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute and conspiring to distribute cocaine on October 21, 2000. He was allowed to remain free on bond for sentencing in July.
· Barry Wayne Seamster, a 20-year old Danville man, was found guilty of breaking and entering and grand larceny of an entertainment center, a digital camera and a CB radio from O'Sullivan Industries warehouse on October 24, 2000. Seamster, who remains in jail awaiting sentencing in July, had been hired as a laborer by O'Sullivan just 14 days prior to committing the crimes.
· Maurice Daniel Dance, 33, 2088 Dan River Church Road, South Boston, was convicted of maliciously shooting against occupied building and possession of a firearm by convicted felon on November 12, 2000. He remains in jail while awaiting sentencing in July.
· Jeffrey Keith Daniel, 33, 1043 Ridge Road, Vernon Hill, pleaded guilty to three separate indictments of possession with intent to distribute Scheduled II control substance on November and December, 1998. Daniel remains free on bond and will appear in court on June 25 for sentencing.
· John Edward Hamlett, 62, Alton, was found guilty of sexual abuse, given a suspended 90-day jail sentence and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Hamlett has been forbidden to have contact with the victim or the family involved.
· Brad Antionio Walker, 21, 1922 Spring Avenue, South Boston, was found guilty of distributing an imitation Schedule II controlled substance on September 8, 2000. He remains free on bond to appear in court for sentencing in July.
· Richard Lee Beachy, 19, Roxboro, N.C., was found guilty of misdemeanor theft of credit card belonging to James and Brenda Beachy and given 12 months in jail. Except for time served in jail, the remainder of the sentence was suspended on conditions that he pay $110 in restitution to the victims within six months.
· Dyrian Keith Canada, 35, 1318 Porter Lane, South Boston, was found guilty of unlawful wounding of Willie Dean Canada on January 4, and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary. Judge Osborn suspended four years of sentence on conditions that Canada submit to anger management counseling, random screening by a probation officer and remain of good behavior for two years.
· Samuel Irvin Conner, 33, 1107 Loop Road, Vernon Hill, was found guilty of unlawful injury of State Trooper M.S. Roark after striking the officer with an all-terrain vehicle on January 13, in the parking lot H&H Grocery near Vernon Hill. Roark was in the process of making charges against Conner for operating an ATV on public highway.
Conner was also found guilty of driving after having been declared an habitual offender. Conner's bond was revoked and he was sent to jail to await a presentence report June 25.
· Gregory Scott New, 40, 1020 Bold Springs Road, South Boston, was found guilty of petit larceny ­ subsequent offense, in connection with theft of merchandise from Food Lion. A presentence report was ordered for June 25 and Conner will be evaluated for an alternative sentencing program. He remains free on bond.
· Titus Lamontavon Singletary, 20, Danville, was found guilty of malicious wounding of Roger Traynham on November 26, 2000, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. A presentence report was ordered for June 25.
· John Stephan Watts, 38, Scottsburg, was found guilty of DUI ­ third offense, and driving after having been declared an habitual offender. A presentence report has been ordered for June 25 and Watts will be evaluated for alternative sentencing programs. He remains free on bond.
· Fulton Lee Wells Jr., 25, 4111 Chestnut Road, Halifax, was convicted of assault and battery ­ subsequent offense, of Joan King. He was given a suspended 12-month jail sentence on conditions of his good behavior for 12 months and that he attend an anger management program.

The search continues for a white male who robbed the Wilborn Avenue Jiffy Store in South Boston around 9:25 Tuesday evening.
The armed robber carried "a long-barreled gun," according to South Boston Police Sgt. B.K. Lovelace.
The man was described as wearing blue jeans, a blue shirt, a tan baseball cap, work boots and a bandana over his face.
He walked from the scene, according to a witness, heading across Powell Funeral Home's parking lot. Tracking dogs were brought to the scene but lost scent of the robber's trail.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 575-TIPS.

The Governor's School of Global Economics and Technology, the school selected juniors and seniors from Halifax High School attend, is one of 99 semifinalists for the 2001 Innovation in American Government Awards.
Four Virginia programs were selected from over 1,300 nationwide applicants for recognition as semifinalists.
The award is given by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and funded by the Ford Foundation.
Ten grants will be given for $20,000 and five grants will be awarded for $100,000. The grants recognize initiatives at all level of government that are both original and effective.
The Governor's School provides stimulating and challenging opportunities for gifted and highly motivated high school juniors and seniors.
The school, a collaborative effort of the Department of Education, 13 school divisions and local colleges, is located in Keysville.
Program in the County of Augusta. This program promotes the highest level of independent functioning, dignity and quality of life for low income older and/or disabled individuals who need assistance in managing their finances.
The three other Virginia semifinalists include: the 311 Customer Call Center in the City of Hampton; the Virginia Department of Taxation Partnership Program Commonwealth of Virginia; the Volunteer Representative Payee Program, Augusta County.

Halifax County's unemployment rate improved dramatically in April, according to Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) data released Wednesday.
April's unemployment rate of 5.3 percent was a significant improvement from March's rate of 9.7 percent and better than the April 2000 rate of 6 percent, according to VEC figures.
Halifax County's civilian labor force in April was 17,753, with the number of unemployed dropping to 939 workers, compared to 1,766 unemployed workers in March.
Southside unemployment figures, with the exception of Danville, Martinsville and Pittsylvania County, were also lower.
The neighboring counties of Charlotte and Mecklenburg had unemployment rates of 3 and 3.8 percent, respectively, lower than reported rates of 5.8 and 9 percent in March.
Danville's unemployment rate in April was 7.8 percent, up from 7.5 percent in March, while Pittsylvania's rate rose from 5.2 percent in March to 5.6 percent in April.
Holiday furloughs in the Danville area, as well as permanent layoffs at Times Fiber and eToys have contributed to the upward trend in unemployment for Danville and Pittsylvania County, according to VEC spokesman Bill Mezger.
Henry County's unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent in April, compared to 6.4 percent in March, while Martinsville's unemployment rate rose to 9 percent, compared to 8.1 percent in March.
Virginia's unemployment rate for April was 2.2 percent, a decrease from 2.4 percent in March, but still greater than the 1.8 percent rate reflected in April 2000.

Halifax County High School, with a berth in the Group AAA State Baseball Tournament in hand, will play for its first Northwest Region Tournament title in six years tonight when it faces C.D. Hylton in Woodbridge.
(See related story.)
The Comets secured a berth in tonight's Northwest Region Baseball Tournament title tilt with a 4-1 win over GW in front of a packed house here Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Northwest Region Baseball Tournament.
It marked third time the Comets and coach Kelvin Davis have defeated GW this season.
"It's a lot of pressure off of our back," Davis said after the win after the win that elevated his team's record to 16-2 on the season.
"We were under a lot of pressure. We lost a big ball game at this point last year. We were under a lot of pressure because of that ball game. As a team, we made up our minds we weren't going to let that happen again this year.
"We knew we had the team to beat but knowing it and coming out here and doing it are two different things," added Davis.
"We knew we had the team to beat last year but we just didn't go out and do it. I'm just glad we've got this under our belt and we're off to the regional championship game and have a state bid."
While Davis and the Comets were celebrating and breathing a big sigh of relief over the win, GW coach Scooter Dunn, a former Halifax County High School baseball coach and longtime teacher at Halifax County High School, was sorely disappointed.
His team had out hit the Comets 7-4 but three errors, particularly two in the first inning coupled with a wild pitch, doomed the Silver Eagles.
"It hurts," Dunn said.
"It's a tough loss. It's tough for me personally. I really wanted to go with these kids."
"They're a young bunch, a good group of kids," added Dunn.
"We had four seniors. The rest of those kids are sophomores and juniors. When you play a veteran team like Halifax with that many seniors on the team, it's tough. They've got the experience and know what it takes to do it. They've got a fine ball club."
Halifax County repeated the process of beating GW that it started when the Comets downed the Silver Eagles here last Friday night to win the Western District title.
In that game, the Comets took advantage of a series of GW errors to stake themselves to a 5-0 lead.
The Comets did that again Wednesday night, taking advantage of a wild pitch and an error to score four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
David Greene led off by reaching base on an error on a routine ground ball to GW shortstop Jon Fulton. Nick Thompson's single rolled Greene to third base and Matt Hastings walked to lead the sacks.
A wild pitch allowed Greene to score to put the Comets up 1-0 and all of the Comets runners advanced a base.
GW starter Steven Bowers intentionally walked the Comets Michael Priest to load the bases.
Bowers' troubles continued when he hit the Comets' Justin Shepperd with a pitched ball, forcing in Thompson, to put the Comets up 2-0.
The Comets' Adam Conner popped up for the first out but shortstop R.D. Cole delivered a double to left center field to score Hastings and Priest to put the Comets up 4-0.
"Any time you're playing GW, getting off to a good start is big," said Davis.
"Four runs, it was great to have them but it just didn't seem like it was enough. You always have to be looking for more and more and more. Coach Dunn is a great coach and he's capable of doing some things with those guys that every coach couldn't get out of them."
While Davis was happy to have the runs, Dunn was lamenting again how his defense had let him down against the Comets for the second time in a row.
"That first inning killed us," said Dunn.
We get a routine ground ball and we don't make the play, we get an error on the throw, a base hit and a wild pitch and bang, they're up 4-0."
"We spotted them four more runs just like we did last Friday," added Dunn.
"It's hard to come back against a good ball club like that. We just can't seem to come down here and play well."
The Comets made the four runs hold up the rest of the way as Dunn brought reliever Brett Thomas to the hill to finish out the first inning.
After Thomas' arrival on the hill, the Comets had only two hits the rest of the way, one in the second inning by Thompson, a double in the fifth inning by Conner.
The Comets managed to get two runners on the sacks in the second inning and left two runners stranded in the fifth inning.
GW and Thomas retired the Comets in order in the third, fourth and sixth innings.
"Good pitching will beat good hitting any time," Dunn noted.
"You saw that when we brought Brett in."
Meanwhile, the Comets played a steady defensive game, backing up starter Scott Adams who hung in the game until he hit the first two GW batters he faced in the sixth inning, and Priest who came on to close out the game.
The Eagles had two runners on base in the first inning and fourth innings and one runner on base in the second inning but the Comets made the right plays at the right time as GW stranded five runners on the sacks through the first five innings.
GW's biggest threat of the game came in the sixth inning after Adams hit the first two batters.
Priest came on and fanned Thomas but Eric McGuire singled to plate Lambert who entered the game to run for Fulton.
That put runners on first and third but Priest fanned designated hitter Justin Tubb and GW catcher Seth Payne to retire the side and end the inning.
In the GW half of the final inning, Priest struck out GW's first two batters, Jason Moan and Joey Thompson and Fulton grounded out to Adams at third base to end the game.
"Basically, we just had to stay focused and go out there and make the routine plays," Davis pointed out.
"We were under a lot of pressure every time they got runners on. With the speed they've got on the base paths, any time you've got one of their guys on the base path, you're thinking something big can happen.
"But we made the plays behind our pitchers and played a good fundamentally sound baseball game," added Davis.

By MICHAEL A. PAIGE
It was deja vous for the Halifax County High School softball team, which saw its season end Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to Cave Spring in the Northwest Regional Tournament in Roanoke.
It was the second-straight year that the Lady Comets have been eliminated by Cave Spring in a 3-0 shutout.
Early defensive mistakes were costly for the Comets and allowed Cave Springs to build a 2-0 lead after the third inning.
"We had some miscues and scoring situations in which normally they wouldn't have scored on us, but it was a tense ballgame and emotions were high," said head coach Melanie Saunders.
After pitcher Anna Lewis retired three-straight batters in the first inning before Cave Springs' cleanup hitter singled in the second inning.
The runner advanced to second base after the next batter was thrown out at first base.
A bunt from the next batter sent the base runner to third base.
The hitter beat out the throw to first and attempted to be drawn into a force play between first and second base.
A throw to second base to tighten the trap allowed the runner on third to head to home plate for an unearned run.
In the third inning, Cave Springs took advantage of a passed ball and scored on an RBI.
While sophomore ace pitcher, Melandy Waldron, pitched a one-hitter, the Lady Comets were able to load the bases with one out in the fifth inning.
Jennifer Roller reached base on an error and Felicia Sprattley took a walk.
A fielder's choice allowed Jenny Armistead to load the bases.
But two-straight strikeouts by Paige Gasperini and Joni Foster ended the chance for Halifax County to score.
"Sometimes you have the hits you need and sometimes you don't," Saunders said.
"It just so happened that we had one out and we couldn't get that needed hit," Saunders added.
Another scoring opportunity occurred in the sixth inning after Brandi Conner singled.
Conner was thrown out at second base while Lindsay Stolzenthaler reached base on a fielder's choice.
Stolzenthaler moved to second base after Branda Best hit to left field.
With two runners on and two outs, Roller's fly ball to right field ended the inning.
Cave Springs tacked on another run in the sixth inning before shutting down Halifax County's next three batters to end the ballgame.
"It's been a great season and we've told the kids to keep their heads up," Saunders said.
Lewis completed the game on the mound with one strikeout and no base on balls.
She gave up seven hits.
"We've only lost one game all year and by one run and we can't ask for a better season than that," Saunders said.
"And we came here and got beat by a good team that's solid offensively and defensively.
"They came out and didn't make any errors and played solid ball," Saunders added.

William Julius Carrington, 48, of 1128 Reverend Coleman Road, Clover, died May 28 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Carrington was born in Halifax County on November 23, 1952, the son of the late Clifton Robertson and Roberta Carrington and was married to Connie Garrett Carrington. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist church where he served as a deacon, assistant superintendent of Sunday school and choir member. He was employed by JPS Manufacturing Company.
Survivors include his wife; one son, William Clifton Carrington of Clover; one adopted son, Lamont Jennings of South Boston; three adopted daughters, Natisha Jennings of Clover, Shavon Jennings and Karisma Darden, both of South Boston; two sisters, Vanessa Williams and Michele Robertson, both of Albany, N.Y.; and two brothers, Charlie Clifton Robertson and Alvin Robertson, both of Albany. He was preceded in death by one brother, James Carrington.

Funeral services for Mr. Carrington will be held June 3 at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. James L. Dance officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Watson Henry Compton, 69, of Clarksville died May 30 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Compton was born February 10, 1932, in Vernon Hill the son of the late James Otis Compton and Hester Mayhew Compton and was married to Nancy Milam Compton.
A graduate of Dan River High school, Mr. Compton retired from the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Services after 15 years of service and then from People's Oil Company.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. June 2 at Gravel Hill Cemetery in Buffalo Springs.
Survivors of Mr. Compton include his wife; one daughter, Annette C. Lyle of Ringgold; two sons, Keith W. Compton of Anderson, S.C. and Alan B. Compton of Ringgold; and seven grandchildren.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Virginia Baptist Children's Home. Condolences to the family may be sent online at
www.virginiacremation.com.