Sheriff's Office Confirms Arrest, Ongoing Investigation

A man was arrested Friday and the investigation is ongoing at 881 Belle Plains Road, Maj. David Decatur, Stafford Sheriff's spokesperson, confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Dennis Paul Benzie was arrested Friday after the Stafford Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on seven charges for distribution, Decatur said. "Four charges were added," he said.  Those four charges are:

1. Possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamines).
2. Possession of a fire arm while being a convicted felon.
3. Possession of a fire arm while in the possession of narcotics.
4. Possession of marijuana.

Benzie, 58, is being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

"We're still there [on the scene]," Decatur confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

The FBI confirmed Tuesday they had assisted in the initial processing of the scene.  "We provided resource assistance to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office at that address," Dee Rybiski, Richmond division media coordinator, told Patch.

A Fredericksburg Patch reader noted Monday on Facebook that there was "major police activity" on Belle Plains Road on Saturday, March 16. "But we have heard no news on what was going on," she said. "We in White Oak would love to know."

As of Monday afternoon, a patrol car was stationed at the end of the driveway as law enforcement continued to come and go from the property — witnessed by neighbors and Patch.

The search warrant executed March 15 is "not open to the public," according to staff in the Stafford County Clerk of the Court's office.  "We have received the search warrant but it is sealed," a clerk's office staff member said Tuesday afternoon.  "The criminal court said you can't know anything about this until it is released to the public," she told Patch.

According to the database in the clerk's office, there are 19 active charges against Benzie.  In addition to those he was charged with Friday, he is also charge with multiple cases of DWI, driving with a suspended license, hit and run, obstruction of justice, grand larceny and larceny with intent to sell.  Other than the case number for and title of each of the 19 charges, all details have been restricted and cannot be viewed.

Editor's Note: Where an arrest is mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Related Stories:

Mystery: Drug Search Confirmed at Belle Plains Home (March 19, 2013)

Mystery: Sheriff's Office Hasn't Left Crime Scene Since Saturday (March 18, 2013) 

Keep up with the latest on this investigation at 881 Belle Plains Road.

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