Armed Narcotics Charges Filed Against SC Duo After Patriots Highway Arrest

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — Two South Carolina residents face multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute narcotics, following an incident on Patriot Highway on Saturday morning.

Lawrence Batchelder, 61, and Lynda Lee, 58, were taken into custody Saturday after a citizen alerted authorities, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. Both individuals were transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Deputies were flagged down by a citizen at approximately 9:45 a.m. regarding a man lying in the grass in the 10300 block of Patriot Highway. Upon locating the man, deputies reported observing signs consistent with narcotics impairment and discovered narcotics paraphernalia on his person.

A vehicle associated with the man was parked nearby with a female passenger inside. A Fredericksburg Police Department K9 Unit assisted at the scene and alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, deputies recovered a nickel-colored .45-caliber 1911-style pistol, a "grease gun" style BB gun, suspected narcotics, items indicative of narcotics distribution, and additional narcotics paraphernalia.

Batchelder has been charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I/II narcotic, possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II narcotic, public intoxication, and carrying a concealed weapon. Lee faces a single charge of possession of a Schedule I/II narcotic.

On Monday morning, Batchelder and Lee were arraigned in Spotsylvania General District Court and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 11, according to court documents. Both are still in custody.

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office credited the initial citizen report for alerting deputies to the situation and commended the responding deputies and the assisting Fredericksburg K9 team for their actions during the investigation.