Marion Police Chief Arrested on Federal Drug Charge
Michael Dean Roberts Charged in Federal Criminal Complaint

ABINDGON, VA—The police chief of the Marion, Virginia Police Department was arrested this morning on federal charges related to the distribution of a controlled substance.

Michael Dean Roberts, a.k.a. “Fireball,” age 54, of Saltville, Virginia, was arrested via a federal criminal complaint earlier this morning and charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon, Roberts is charged with distributing the name brand prescription painkiller Lortab, which contained the Schedule III narcotic hydrocodone.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Virginia State Police; and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Lee will prosecute the case for the United States.

A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.