Crime/Court
Serious Charges Highlight Warren County Grand Jury Indictments
A wide range of felony indictments was handed down by the Warren County Circuit Court grand jury during its January and April 2026 terms, reflecting cases involving violent crime, drug offenses, fraud, and law enforcement incidents.
Among the most serious charges, Peter Elijah Skube was indicted on counts of forcible sodomy and object sexual penetration tied to an April 2025 incident. In a separate case, John Andrew Reel faces multiple felony charges, including rape, strangulation causing injury, and abduction, stemming from a November 2025 incident.
Drug-related offenses made up a significant portion of the indictments. More than a dozen individuals were charged with felony possession of controlled substances across both grand jury terms. In one case, Robert Michael Riley faces not only a possession charge but also an additional count of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance.
The indictments also include several fraud and financial crime cases. Gary Wayne Wright was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit fraud. Nicole Renee Watson faces a charge related to a forged check. In the April term, Brandy Lynn Knight was indicted for forgery, while Walter Scott Kradel faces a series of felony charges, including forgery, identity theft, credit card theft, and multiple conspiracy-related offenses.
Other cases involve public safety and interactions with law enforcement. Madeline Lizette Schlegel was indicted for felony DUI and assault and battery of a law enforcement officer. Donnell Manuel Turner faces a felony hit-and-run charge involving injury or significant property damage.
Several indictments stem from vehicle-related offenses, including charges of felony eluding police against David Whitfield, Joshua Shayne Patterson, and Ethan Michael Higgs. Spencer Brent Cave was charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle.
One case also involves the alleged distribution of drugs to a minor. Kurt Michael Jankowski was indicted on a charge of distributing marijuana to a person under 18.
All indictments from the January term were returned as “true bills” on March 9, 2026, while the April term indictments were issued on April 6, 2026. These indictments are formal accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Individuals Indicted and Charges:
Peter Elijah Skube
John Andrew Reel — Rape; strangulation causing injury; abduction
Andrew Brandon Holloway — Possession of a controlled substance
Ronald Alexandria Robinson — Possession of a controlled substance
Emily Sarah Morris — Possession of a controlled substance
Robert Michael Riley — Possession of a controlled substance; manufacture/distribution of a controlled substance
Nichole Dawn Polk — Possession of a controlled substance
Patrick Bishop Munson — Possession of a controlled substance
Jessica Nicole Rogers — Possession of a controlled substance
Sinda Lea Reifel — Possession of a controlled substance
Dwight Eric Maynard II — Possession of a controlled substance
Zachary E. Cassella — Possession of a controlled substance
Michael Brandon Mazique — Possession of a controlled substance
Ashley Ann Robinson — Possession of a controlled substance
Justin Jeffrey Elder — Possession of controlled substance (two indictments)
Ronald Dale Whittaker Jr. — Possession of a controlled substance
Kurt Michael Jankowski — Distribution of marijuana to a minor
Nicole Renee Watson — Uttering/attempting to use a forged check
Brandy Lynn Knight — Forgery/uttering forged document
Walter Scott Kradel — Forgery; conspiracy to commit forgery; identity theft/financial fraud; attempted grand larceny; credit card theft; conspiracy
Madeline Lizette Schlegel — Felony DUI; assault and battery of a law enforcement officer
Spencer Brent Cave — Grand larceny of a motor vehicle
Joshua Shayne Patterson — Felony eluding police
Ethan Michael Higgs — Felony eluding police
Donnell Manuel Turner — Felony hit-and-run
Photos not available
- Gary Wayne Wright — Obtaining money by false pretenses; conspiracy to commit fraud
- David Whitfield — Felony eluding police
- Joshua Shayne Patterson — Felony eluding police
Photos courtesy of RSW Jail.
ORDER OF PUBLICATION: In the Circuit Court for Warren County, Virginia
The Papers You Would Grab in Ten Minutes
Spanberger’s Carbon Tax Sets New Record, Could Add $1 Billion to Electricity Costs in One Year
Ask Stewart: What Should I Be Doing for My Trees This Fall?
Next Hearing in Supervisor Tony Carter’s DUI Case Set for Dec. 8
Commentary: We All Use Data Centers. So Where Should They Go?
From Wine to Whodunit: Local Events Raise Money for Community Programs
The Data Center Debate Should Include Data Security
Greenville Didn’t Become a Destination by Accident
Nancy Grace Roman Observatory Launched by NASA on August 30 Will Be Ongoing Public Event
White House Highlights Greenland Security Deal, Drug Pricing and H-1B Actions
Clover and Denim Fundraiser to Support Northern Virginia 4-H Center
PFAS Chemicals Raise Concerns Because They Linger in the Environment
Meet Jimothy, the Raccoon Shaped Like a Little Ball
Living on Social Security? A Small Emergency Fund Can Still Help
Warren County GOP Prepares for November Election, Constitutional Amendment Fight
Rural Road Safety Takes Center Stage During National Farm Safety and Health Week
The Submarine That Attacked New York — in 1776
CSM Aesthetics Celebrates Growth With Front Royal Ribbon Cutting
VDOT: Warren County Traffic Alert for September 21 – 25, 2026
Spanberger Presents Slate of Data Center Regulation Proposals, Puts First Directives in Motion
Early Voting Begins in Virginia, as Trump Mail-Ballot Restrictions Remain Blocked
Virginia Confronts $1.7 Billion Shortfall in Highway Maintenance Funding
Trump Admin Aims to Shift Homelessness Grants Toward Addiction Treatment, Enforcement
