On February 25, 2014, a joint task force consisting of local, state and federal authorities served multiple search warrants and arrested seven people in connection with Slipknots Trading & Tobacco, LLC. Connie R. Bowler, 47, of Gloucester; Melody R. Green, 52, of Topping; John Rhoades, 41, of Hayes; Brandon Bowler, 22, of Gloucester; Robert Rhoades, 19, of Hayes; Harrell Stockwell, 54, of Gloucester; and Christopher Lowery, 29, of Farnham, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute smokeable synthetic cannabinoids with the intent for human consumption, and drug paraphernalia.
Slipknots operated a store in Tappahannock in the Essex Square Shopping Center and had planned on moving the store near Wal-Mart in March. “My office has responded to numerous incidents where people who had smoked these products were having serious medical complications and needed to be hospitalized.” says Chief James Ashworth. “I have taken several phone calls from concerned citizens and parents who were upset about the products being sold and wanted know what to do.” “The current state laws didn’t allow us much option in enforcement which is why I also took a position of educating the public on the dangers associated with smoking these products.”
The indictments allege that the store sold the synthetic cannabinoids in conjunction with items such as rolling papers and water pipes. It is also alleged that Slipknots sold more than $3 million dollars of smokeable synthetic cannabinoids over an 18 month period at their stores.
This case now lies with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
