Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force arrests Culpeper resident on illegal drug and gun charges

A Culpeper County man is behind bars on multiple firearms and drug charges following his arrest by the Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force. Johnnie Thomas III, 35, of Culpeper, Va., is being held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail.

Johnnie Thomas III, 35, of Culpeper, Va

Task force members first encountered Thomas on Dec. 20, 2022, during a traffic stop on Route 29 in Culpeper County. A pistol and approximately 1/8 of an ounce of methamphetamine were recovered from Thomas’s vehicle during the course of the traffic stop. Thomas was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with one felony count of distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance, one felony count of possession of a firearm while possessing a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance, and one count of concealing a weapon.

Further investigation led to a search warrant being executed at Thomas’s residence in the 1800 block of Picadilly Circle. The search warrant yielded eight pistols, a rifle, a shotgun, and an assortment of magazines and ammunition. Investigators also seized $23,000 in cash and approximately one ounce of meth, with a street value of approximately $3,000. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force (BRNGTF) comprises law enforcement personnel from the Orange, Fauquier, Culpeper, Madison, and Rappahannock Sheriff’s Offices, Culpeper, Warrenton, Orange Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Culpeper Field Office.