Two charged in connection to body found in burning car in Bedford County in 2023
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Two Central Virginia men have been indicted on several federal charges by a grand jury in Roanoke in connection to human remains that were found in a burning car in 2023.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), after an indictment was returned on April 11, the grand jury alleged that 30-year-old Joseph Richard Walker, a.k.a. “Joe,” of Roanoke, and 21-year-old Garrett Isaac Williams of Lynchburg, a.k.a. “Gary,” “Taz,” conspired to traffic marijuana, and committed robbery, and conspired to commit robbery.
The indictment also alleges that Walker used a gun during the robbery as a prohibited person and committed arson.
Original Report: New details released on human remains found in a burned-out vehicle
“These two arrests are the result of the exceptional and relentless investigative work of law enforcement from a myriad of agencies,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Within 48 hours, our special agents had identified Walker and Williams as the murder suspects and had state charges placed thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the US Marshals Service, FBI, Roanoke City Police, Roanoke County Police, the Bedford County and Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.”
Court documents and public records revealed that around January 2023, Walker and Williams conspired to sell a large amount of marijuana they bought from the victim in York, Pennsylvania, and planned to rob him when he arrived. Documents revealed that by early April 2023, Walker and Williams had accrued a $40,000 drug debt to the victim.
However, rather than paying the debt, the pair allegedly conspired to arrange a final marijuana delivery from the victim and allegedly planned to kill him when he arrived.
The DOJ says on April 17, 2023, the victim traveled to Walker’s house in southeast Roanoke where Walker allegedly shot the victim in the head twice and stole the marijuana. After, Walker allegedly loaded his body into the trunk of the car and drove it to a road in Bedford County where it was set on fire.
“There is no higher priority for my Office than keeping our communities safe by prosecuting violent crime,” said United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh. “The federal charges brought in this case show the determination of the United States Attorney’s Office — and our local, state, and federal partners — to hold those who commit these acts accountable.”
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