ARREST GRAPHIC

(Photo: MGN)

HALLWOOD, VA - A member of Hallwood’s town council has been charged with sex offenses in Northampton County after being arrested in Accomack County. 

According to court documents and the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, John W Smith, 75, of Hallwood, was arrested in Accomack County on December 6th. Police say he was brought to Northampton’s Eastern Shore Regional Jail this week, where he is being held without bond.

Smith is charged with forcible sodomy of a helpless victim. According to court documents, the felony charge stems from an incident on October 6th in Northampton County. A felony conviction of forcible sodomy can carry five years to life in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Hallwood Mayor J. “Jackie” Poulson confirmed to WBOC that Smith is on Hallwood’s Council, but he was not aware of the charges until today. 

“If I had known, he wouldn’t have been on the Council,” Poulson said. 

Smith’s trial date has not yet been published in court records online.

 

Tags

Digital Content Producer

Sean joined WBOC as Digital Content Producer in February 2023. Originally from New Jersey, Sean graduated from Rutgers University with bachelor’s degrees in East Asian Studies and Religion. He has lived in New York, California, and Virginia before he and his wife finally found a place to permanently call home in Maryland. With family in Laurel, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Captain’s Cove, Sean has deep ties to the Eastern Shore and is thrilled to be working at WBOC serving the community.

Recommended for you