Grundy, Va., Murder Suspect Arrested in Tennessee

GRUNDY, Va.—U.S. Marshals arrested a Buchanan County murder suspect overnight in Sullivan County, Tenn.

Travis Wade Spence, 35, of the Big Rock section of Buchanan County, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony obstruction of justice stemming from the March 14 killing of Greg Brown, 43, in the Lee Town section of Buchanan County.

“I’m just glad we got him,” said Buchanan County Sheriff Ray Foster. “My thanks goes out to the U.S. Marshals. They just kept looking until they found him.”

The arrest was a relief to law enforcement after Spence’s indictment accidentally was released Monday by the prosecutor’s office to news media before his arrest, jeopardizing the search.

A deputy blamed the premature news release on a communications breakdown between his agency and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

“Upon his extradition from Tennessee, Mr. Spence will be arraigned in Circuit Court,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Tamara Neo. “Investigators with our sheriff’s department should be commended for their investigation in this matter.  They were persistent and patient in building their case.”

First-degree murder carries a penalty of up to a life sentence, while felony obstruction of justice carries a penalty of up to 10 years.