Lovingston man faces charges in meth arrest

By Erin McGrath

Published: August 13, 2008

A Lovingston man arrested last week after authorities found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine at his residence was “a major player in the field,” the sheriff said.

“It means that someone else won’t be able to get drugs in our county,” Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks said after deputies arrested Charles William Spencer III, 35, of Lovingston, on Aug. 7.

Deputies charged him with four felonies and two misdemeanors. He is being held without bond at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Spencer had been free on bond from an arrest where authorities found three ounces of methamphetamine, Vicodin pills and more than a quarter ounce of marijuana in his possession during a traffic stop in May.

Spencer’s arrest last week came after deputies served a search warrant at his Barn Hill Lane residence in Lovingston, Brook said.

Besides methamphetamine, deputies also seized seven guns, three vehicles and more than $500 in cash during the search. Brooks said the methamphetamine was valued at more than $41,000.

“I thought the search warrant went excellent,” Brook said, after an investigation that lasted about six months. “Right on target. Intelligence was right on.”

Brooks said Spencer is suspected of purchasing methamphetamine elsewhere and distributing it within the county.

Spencer was charged with possession with intent to manufacture of a schedule 1 or schedule II substance, distribution or possession with intent of less than half an ounce of marijuana, eluding and endangering police, possession of a gun with schedule I or schedule II drug, and two counts of the manufacture or sale of a controlled substance.

In the May arrest, Spencer was charged with possession with intent to sell, distribution of a schedule III drug and distribution or possession with intent of marijuana, records show. His trial date is set for Oct. 10.

Four other Nelson residents were arrested Friday after they went to Spencer’s residence while deputies conducted the search, Brooks said.

Jason Bryant, 23, of Wingina, was charged with unauthorized distribution of controlled drug paraphernalia.

Thomas Massie Huffman, 30, of Lovingston, was charged with possession of a schedule I or schedule II substance.

Jeffrey Simpson, 22, of Tyro, was charged with possession of marijuana.

Tabitha Hall, 22, of Tyro, was also charged with possession of marijuana.

Spencer is set to appear in court on Aug. 14 at 1:30 p.m.