Published: May 07, 2008 09:25 pm      

Richlands fire chief indicted

Authorities file 10 counts alleging sexual battery, indecent liberties with minors

RICHLANDS, Va. — A fire chief in Tazewell County has been named in a 10 count indictment alleging aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties, police said.

William Darrell Vance Sr., 59, of Richlands, the chief of the Richlands Fire Department, was arrested Wednesday on five counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of indecent liberties, Sgt. Michael Conroy, of the Virginia State Police Wytheville Fourth District Area Headquarters, said.

“Mr. Vance was arrested Monday on three charges of aggravated sexual battery that occurred in Russell County and was arrested Wednesday for the additional seven charges in Tazewell County, five for aggravated sexual battery and two for indecent liberties,” Conroy said. “Because the charges came out of a grand jury and involve minors, we can not comment beyond what Mr. Vance was charged with to protect the victims in the case.”

Conroy said the 10 count indictment was returned by a Russell County and a Tazewell County grand jury. Conroy said Vance will be arraigned on the charges in both Tazewell and Russell counties.

Conroy said three female victims have been identified as a result of the investigation. Their ages range from 6 to 13. Conroy said the alleged offenses occurred from 1996 to 2007.

Conroy said the arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by Russell County Commonwealth Attorney Michael Bush, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Richlands Police Department, and the Tazewell County Department of Social Services.

Vance is currently the chief of the Richlands Fire Department, Town Manager Tim Taylor confirmed Wednesday.

“It is our fire chief, and we will be reviewing the situation,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he couldn’t comment further on the situation at this time.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com