Man who barricaded himself in Henry County attic, claimed to have knife arrested

Ronald Gene Edwards Jr.

HENRY COUNTY, VA – A man wanted following a drug bust in Henry County has been arrested after he barricaded himself in an attic.

On Wednesday at around 7 p.m., deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office went to 244 Grassy Creek Road to try to arrest 33-year-old Ronald Gene Edwards Jr.

Edwards was wanted on felony drug indictments.

The Sheriff’s Office says when deputies approached the home, Edwards went back inside it.

Deputies say they were able to make contact with Edwards, and he stated he was armed with a knife and he refused to come out.

Negotiators responded and made continuous attempts to contact Edwards without success, according to authorities.

A search warrant was obtained to enter the home and at approximately 11 p.m., a tactical unit made entry.

After a search of the home, Edwards was found in the attic.

Deputies made contact with Edwards, and he again said he was armed with a knife and refused to come out, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

50 minutes later, deputies got Edwards out of the ceiling and he was taken into custody.

Ronald Edwards Jr., of 1805 Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, was arrested on the charges of felony distribution of fentanyl and tramadol.

For barricading himself, he faces a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice.

He is being held in the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.