Five named in racketeering indictments
The cases are related to the RICO Act indictments that were handed down by the Floyd County Grand Jury in late-August. The RICO Act is a “means of going after organized crime” that has to do with drug distribution, money laundering, and human trafficking/prostitution.
Three racketeering hearings were set to be scheduled in Floyd County Circuit Court this week, but they were ultimately postponed until January 2026. Related hearings are set to be scheduled later this month and next.
The cases are related to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act indictments that were handed down by the Floyd County Grand Jury in late-August. Floyd Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Branscom said the RICO Act is a “means of going after organized crime” that has to do with drug distribution, money laundering, and human trafficking/prostitution.
“We’re still very early in the process,” he said.
Branscom said that he predicts the cases, which involve five individuals, will include many proceedings and take a while to conclude, depending on which defendants choose to cooperate.
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Lindsey R. Burnette of Roanoke is charged with two counts of racketeering $10,000 or more throughout 2024 and 2025, and she has additionally been charged out of Roanoke with the non-capital felony murder, child abuse and neglect resulting in serious injury, and cruelty and injuries to children involving her infant son, who died in February.
Burnette is being represented in Floyd County on the racketeering charges by Attorney Fred Kellerman, and her hearing is scheduled to be set on Oct. 7 in Floyd Circuit Court.
Molly K. Lepisto of Natural Bridge is charged with five counts of racketeering $10,000 or more from November 2020 until the beginning of this year. Branscom noted that she once resided in Floyd.
She was also charged with possession with the intent to distribute at least 10 grams of meth in Floyd County in January 2023 and pleaded guilty to that charge in August. She received a five-year suspended sentence and three years of supervised probation.
Attorney Anthony Houchens is representing Lepisto on the racketeering charges.
Jose Jorge Sanchez of Roanoke is charged with five counts of racketeering $10,000 or more, also from November 2020 until the beginning of this year. He is being represented by Attorney Angi Simpkins.
Kenneth J. Tolley of Clifton Forge is charged with one count of racketeering $10,000 or more in 2024. He is being represented by Attorney Matthew Roberts.
Hearing dates were scheduled to be set on Tuesday, Sept. 30, for Lepisto, Sanchez, and Tolley, but the cases were continued to Jan. 20, 2026.
Earl Wayne Smith of Lexington is charged with the same crimes as Lepisto: five counts of racketeering $10,000 or more from November 2020 until January 2025, and with possession of at least 10 grams of meth with the intent to distribute. His possession case is still active.
Smith was arrested in February and charged by the state police with prostitution, transportation for prostitution, keeping or residing a bawdy place, and human trafficking, according to a press release.
Smith’s hearing regarding the racketeering charges was continued Sept. 30 and rescheduled to Nov. 18. He is being represented by Anthony “Tony” Anderson.
All of the defendants’ attorneys are court-appointed.
There are also a number of civil forfeiture filings against Smith that name businesses as secondary defendants. Civil forfeiture is used when property is suspected of being involved in criminal activity, but not necessarily the owner. The businesses listed include:
- Amanda’s Touch Bridal and Formal
- The Dress by Amanda’s Touch
- Valley Cinema
- Bridal Impressions by Wayne
- Amanda’s Touch
Burnette and Tolley are being held without bond at Roanoke City Adult Detention Center. Sanchez is being held without bond at New River Valley Regional Jail, and Smith is being held without Bond at the Rockbridge Regional Jail. Lepisto was released from Rockbridge Regional on a secured bond of $5,000 per racketeering charge.
The RICO indictments handed down by the Floyd County Grand Jury were a result of “a year or more of work by the state police,” Branscom said this week.
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All involved agencies include the Virginia State Police, Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Rockbridge County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.
Branscom noted that as more hearings are held, more information will become publicly available.