Tragic details surrounding the death of a one-year-old child in the Town of Front Royal, Virginia, on September 18 are detailed in the Criminal Complaint attached to the Second Degree Murder Warrant against the child’s 24-year-old father, Nathaniel Lee Edmonds.

Edmonds was located on foot on Route 522 North at Fairgrounds Road by Warren County Sheriff’s Office units assisting Front Royal Police Department investigators the day of the child’s death. The search for Edmonds had proceeded northward based on cell phone information from the child’s mother mid-afternoon on Wednesday, September 18, at the residential scene where the couple live on the 300 block of North Royal Avenue in town.

The mother told authorities that Edmonds was supposed to be watching their child while she was at work. According to a press release by FRPD issued the afternoon of September 24, when the child’s mother returned home the afternoon of September 18th, she found her child alone in the condition in which emergency response units found the child upon their arrival. That condition was described as cardiac arrest.

The child was transported by Emergency Medical Service first responders, already present when FRPD arrived on the scene, to Warren Memorial Hospital, where, despite resuscitation efforts, the child was pronounced deceased.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Bk3UG_0vjdXmjN00 — Nathaniel Edmonds after his booking on a Second Degree Murder charge related to his child’s death Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Front Royal. Photo RSW.

The Criminal Complaint describes FRPD’s interaction with Edmonds leading to the Second Degree Murder charge filed the evening of September 18th following consultation with the Warren County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office:

“Edmonds was detained and brought in for an interview. Edmonds was read his Miranda Rights and confessed to choking his one-year-old, using both of his hands for minutes because the child was not listening and he couldn’t take it anymore.”

The complaint signed by FRPD Detective T.A. Smith continues to add, “Edmonds describes that this incident happened on the child’s bed where he was ultimately found. Edmonds admitted to observing foam at the mouth on the child.”

Following an initial hearing on September 19, Edmonds is being held at RSW Regional Jail in northern Warren County without bond. A second hearing was originally scheduled for the morning docket on October 17 but has been canceled. A second hearing is currently scheduled for December 19 at 9:45 a.m.

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Father Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Tragic Death of One-Year-Old Child in Front Royal

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, around 2:40 p.m., Front Royal Police responded to a residence on North Royal Avenue following a distressing report of a one-year-old child in cardiac arrest. Medics from Warren County Fire & Rescue were already on the scene, swiftly preparing to transport the child to Warren Memorial Hospital. Despite medical efforts, the child was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Officers secured the scene, and the Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division began an immediate investigation. Detectives, working closely with hospital staff, were quickly joined by members of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, who located and brought in the child’s father, 24-year-old Nathaniel Lee Edmonds, for questioning.

After a thorough investigation and consultation with the Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Edmonds was charged with second-degree murder under Virginia Code 18.2-32. As the case remains under active investigation, further details have been withheld to protect the integrity of the inquiry.

Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact Detective Z.S. Wallace at (540) 636-2208 or via email at zwallace@frontroyalva.com.

Linden Woman Dies from Gunshot Wound; Husband Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Apple Jack Circle in Linden, a community in Warren County, Virginia. The call concerned a woman, later identified as 72-year-old Diane M. Dawson, who had suffered a gunshot wound.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to find Mrs. Dawson in critical condition. She was initially transported to Warren Memorial Hospital. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later airlifted to Fairfax Inova Hospital. Tragically, despite the efforts of medical professionals, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

The investigation into Diane Dawson’s death led the authorities to charge her husband, 74-year-old Claude H. Dawson Jr., with several offenses. After extensive inquiries and consultations with the Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Mr. Dawson was arrested on August 27, 2024, without incident. The charges against him include involuntary manslaughter, reckless handling of firearms, and shooting while committing or attempting a felony.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0uEQ6G_0vjdXmjN00 — CLAUDE DAWSON

Arrest and Court Proceedings

Following his arrest, Mr. Dawson was transported to the Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren (RSW) Regional Jail. He appeared before a magistrate, who ordered him to be held in custody without the possibility of bond. His initial court date has been set for September 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, which remains active. Authorities have not released additional details to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Individuals with information that could aid the case are encouraged to contact Investigator C.J. McDaniel at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office by phone at (540) 635-7100 or by email at cmcdaniel@warrencountysheriff.org.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials continue to work diligently to uncover the facts surrounding Mrs. Dawson’s death. They have extended their gratitude to the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Culpeper Division, for their assistance in this case.

Understanding the Charges

Claude Dawson Jr. faces three serious charges related to his wife’s death:

Involuntary Manslaughter (§ 18.2-36): This charge suggests that Mr. Dawson’s actions, though unintended to cause death, were reckless or negligent enough to result in the loss of life.
Reckless Handling of Firearms (§ 18.2-56.1): This charge indicates that the handling of the firearm was careless or dangerous, contributing to the fatal incident.
Shooting in Committing or Attempting a Felony (§ 18.2-53): This charge implies that the use of the firearm occurred during the commission or attempted commission of a felony, adding further severity to the case.

As the community awaits further details, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office remains focused on thoroughly examining all aspects of the case. For now, Mr. Dawson remains in custody as he awaits his day in court.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that any additional information from the public could be crucial in resolving this matter. They encourage anyone with knowledge about the case to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation.

Felon Flees Traffic Stop, Caught After High-Speed Chase

On August 19, 2024, a routine traffic stop in Rappahannock County escalated into a high-speed chase, ultimately leading to the arrest of a wanted man on multiple serious charges. Deputy D. Meade initiated the traffic stop at the intersection of Hittles Mill Road and Zachary Taylor Highway after clocking the vehicle at 79 mph in a 55 mph zone. During the stop, Deputy Meade noticed a glass smoking device in plain sight, prompting a further search of the vehicle.

The search revealed a glass jar containing a substance that the driver admitted was methamphetamine. In addition, a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun was found inside the car. Upon running the driver’s information, Deputy Meade discovered that the individual’s license was suspended and that he was wanted in Warren County for multiple probation violations.

Deputy Meade informed the driver, identified as 50-year-old Christopher Eric Harpine of Front Royal, that he was not free to leave. However, as Deputy Meade secured the evidence in his patrol vehicle, Harpine made a sudden attempt to escape. He got back into his car and sped off, initiating a dangerous high-speed pursuit.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0nX9XE_0vjdXmjN00 — Christopher Eric Harpine

Harpine drove at speeds exceeding 100 mph as he fled into Warren County, with Deputy Meade and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in close pursuit. The chase spanned several roads, putting other drivers at risk. Eventually, the pursuit was taken over by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police (VSP), and Deputy Meade discontinued his direct involvement. Harpine was eventually apprehended and taken into custody at the RSW Regional Jail.

As a result of the incident, Harpine now faces a litany of charges. These include multiple counts of reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, eluding law enforcement, and possession of both methamphetamine and a firearm. Harpine, who is a convicted felon, is also charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition illegally, as well as possessing a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance.

The full list of charges brought against Christopher Eric Harpine is as follows:

Reckless driving (two counts)
Driving on a suspended or revoked license
Failure to wear a seatbelt
Failure to stop at a stop sign
Eluding law enforcement
Obstruction of justice
Possession of a Class I/II controlled substance
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon
Possession of a firearm while in possession of a Class I/II drug

Harpine remains in custody at the RSW Regional Jail as he awaits further legal proceedings. This case underscores the dangers that law enforcement officers face during what might initially seem like routine traffic stops. It also highlights the swift actions of Deputy Meade and the coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies that led to the apprehension of a dangerous individual.

Former EDA Executive Director Jennifer McDonald in Custody at Carswell Texas Women’s Medical Center/Prison Camp

An “Inmate Locator” search of the Bureau Of Prisons (BOP) website around noon Thursday, August 15, indicated for the first time that former Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Jennifer Rae McDonald was in BOP custody. She was listed at the Carswell Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Fort Worth, Texas. As previously reported, McDonald was recently given target dates to report to begin her incarceration between August 11 and 17.

FMC Carswell is described as “an administrative security federal medical center with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp located in Fort Worth, TX.” The Bureau of Prisons website notes that the women’s medical center/prison complex currently houses 1,149 inmates, 1,016 at the Federal Medical Center and 133 in the satellite camp.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Iudrd_0vjdXmjN00 — In blue text, the first change in the Inmate Locator status of Jennifer Rae McDonald since her May 29 sentencing with a court order “not to report before June 24”. Below is an image and stats on the Federal Medical Center Carswell and its adjacent satellite prison camp in Forth Worth, Texas. – Photos from the BOP website

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1v3OSs_0vjdXmjN00

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09rQiA_0vjdXmjN00

Following her federal jury convictions and May 29th sentencing by federal Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon to 14 years on 30 criminal counts related to the circa 2014 to 2018 FR-WC EDA “financial scandal,” McDonald’s defense team of Federal Court-appointed attorneys Andrea Harris and Abigail Thibeault had requested their client be sent to a Federal Prison Camp with an in-house medical facility. They have also indicated the intent to file an appeal of the convictions. Attempts to get additional detail on an appeal filing from the McDonald’s defense team have thus far been unsuccessful. The 14-year sentence imposed by Judge Dillon lies at the midpoint between the defense’s request for a six-year sentence and the prosecution’s 22 years of incarceration sought.

It may be recalled that McDonald’s jury trial in the federal courthouse in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was delayed several times due to medical issues with involved parties. The longest delay to the Fall 2023 trial, two weeks, was reportedly due to McDonald’s receipt of a pacemaker to deal with heart rate and blood pressure issues she was experiencing.

There had been talk of McDonald being housed in the women’s federal minimum security facility in Alderson, West Virginia, which would have facilitated more convenience to her family members or friends for visitation. However, it appears that the Carswell, Texas facility may be the closest, if not only, federal women’s prison camp with full in-house medical operations for physical and psychological inmate issues.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4K81xr_0vjdXmjN00 — The repeated Bureau Of Prisons “Inmate Locator” status of Jennifer McDonald prior to August 15, 2024. Below is a discussed potential federal incarceration location closer to home at Alderson, West Virginia. But no in-house medical facility apparently scrapped that.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=149epP_0vjdXmjN00

Background

McDonald resigned on December 20, 2020, under increased scrutiny from her EDA Board and municipal authorities for the movement of millions of dollars involving real estate and other transactions involving EDA assets. She was first arrested on related charges in the spring of 2021. Her case moved through two state Commonwealth Attorney offices, Warren (recusal) and Rockingham (time and complexity regarding over a million pages of evidence) Counties, before being taken over by the 10th Western District of Virginia federal prosecutor’s office in Harrisonburg.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19FaNR_0vjdXmjN00 — A Royal Examiner filed a photo of McDonald in custody at the state level after a second arrest on July 23, 2019. She has remained free on own recognizance bonds for the majority of time since initially being charged at the state level regarding the EDA “financial scandal”.

McDonald was cited as a central figure in the unauthorized movement of millions of dollars of EDA assets to her own personal benefit, as much as $6.5 million, it was said at trial, or the benefit of others. Including the $12 million received by Truc “Curt” Tran’s ITFederal for its aborted economic development project on 30 acres at the former Avtex Superfund site in Front Royal, which EDA legal counsel successfully argued at civil trial was acquired under false pretenses, an estimated $23 million was fraudulently moved during the 2014 to 2018 timeframe of the EDA “financial scandal” during McDonald’s FR-WC EDA leadership.

UPDATE: Armed Barricade Ends in Tragedy After Hours-Long Standoff in Front Royal

Update 8-14-24

The Front Royal Police Department has released an update regarding the incident that occurred on August 12, 2024, at a residence on West 8th Street. What initially began as a response to a domestic disturbance tragically escalated into an armed barricade situation, resulting in the death of 53-year-old George Edward Mulligan Jr.

Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West 8th Street after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, the situation took a dangerous turn when Mulligan, who was inside the residence, became barricaded and armed. Authorities were concerned that shots were being fired at them after a gunshot shattered the front window. However, after a thorough investigation of the scene, it was determined that only a single shot had been fired, and it was not directed at the responding officers.

The investigation revealed that the gunshot, which broke the front window, was part of a tragic series of events leading to Mulligan’s death. Sadly, Mulligan was found deceased inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Front Royal Police Department expressed its deepest sympathies to Mulligan’s family and friends. They also acknowledged the complexities and challenges of the situation, emphasizing their commitment to transparency by correcting earlier reports that mistakenly suggested officers had been fired upon.

This incident has left a community mourning, and the police department is offering its support to those affected by the tragedy.

A tense standoff that began as a domestic disturbance call ended in tragedy in Front Royal late on August 12, 2024, after a male suspect, George Edward Mulligan Jr., was found dead inside a residence on West 8th Street.

Shortly after 11:00 p.m., officers from the Front Royal Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of West 8th Street following reports of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, they encountered a female in the front yard. As the officers attempted to make contact with her, shots were fired in their direction from inside the home. The suspect, later identified as Mulligan, was armed with a handgun and fired multiple rounds through a front window.

The officers immediately sought cover and were able to move the woman to safety without returning fire. A perimeter was quickly established around the residence, and backup was requested from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Fire and rescue teams were also put on standby. Fortunately, no one was injured during the initial exchange.

Initial interviews with the woman revealed that two young children were still inside the home with the armed suspect. This escalated the situation to an armed barricade, leading to additional support from several law enforcement agencies, including the Virginia State Police, Winchester Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office. Despite repeated attempts, officers were unable to establish contact with Mulligan or the children.

After hours of failed negotiations, officers made the difficult decision to enter the home through the rear. They safely removed the two children, who were unharmed. However, attempts to communicate with Mulligan remained unsuccessful. Gas canisters were deployed into the residence in an effort to coax the suspect out, but there was still no response.

In a final effort to resolve the situation, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone inside the home. The drone revealed that Mulligan was deceased. At approximately 3:00 a.m., officers entered the residence and confirmed that Mulligan had died from what is being investigated as a self-inflicted injury.

While the resolution was tragic, law enforcement officers expressed relief that no one else was harmed during the incident. The Front Royal Police Department thanked all the agencies involved for their crucial assistance and resources, which were instrumental in ensuring the safety of the children.

As this is an ongoing investigation, further details have not been released. Authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the standoff, seeking to understand what may have driven Mulligan to such desperate actions.

Winchester Man Charged With Threatening Kamala Harris

A Virginia man is being prosecuted in federal court after he allegedly made a series of online posts threatening to kill or harm Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia announced Monday.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=01YkMa_0vjdXmjN00 — Frank Carillo, 66, of Winchester, is facing federal charges for allegedly making thousands of posts and replies in online forums threatening the president, vice president, and other public officials. (Courtesy of Roanoke City Jail)

Frank Carillo, a 66-year-old from Winchester, was arrested last week at his home after authorities said they traced a series of posts on the conservative-leaning social media site Gettr back to him.

Harris, who is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, was mentioned 19 times in the posts allegedly written by Carillo under the username “joemadarats1.”

“Harris is going to regret ever trying to become president because if that ever happened I will personally pluck out her eyes with a pair of pliers but first I will shoot and kill everyone that gets in my way that is a f****** promise,” read one of thousands of posts from the account that targeted public officials.

Another post said “I HAVE MY AR-15 LOCKED AND LOADED.” Authorities said they seized an AR-15 rifle, a pistol and “thousands of rounds of ammunition” from Carillo’s home during a search carried out Aug. 2.

Carillo told federal authorities he had purchased the rifle in February. He also indicated during the search that he was the one who had made the online comments that had drawn the attention of the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to federal court documents.

Federal law makes it a crime to threaten the president or anyone in the line of succession to the presidency. The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison.

“Open political discourse is a cornerstone of our American experience. We can disagree. We can argue and we can debate. However, when those disagreements cross the line to threats of violence, law enforcement must step in,” Western District U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said in a news release announcing the case.

Threats of violence against political figures have been a heightened concern this summer following the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, who is now competing against Harris after President Joe Biden abandoned his bid for a second presidential term.

Several of the alarming posts from the Gettr account linked to Carillo were made on July 27, almost one week after Biden dropped out of the race.

Carillo made an initial court appearance Monday and remains in federal custody, court documents show. Another hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.

Efforts to reach Carillo’s court-appointed attorney were unsuccessful Monday.

by Graham Moomaw, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X.