Charges upgraded for three men charged in connection to death of Raymond Wood

BEDFORD – The three men charged in the death of Raymond Wood had their charges upgraded.

Jose Coreas-Ventura, 20, and  Lisandro Posda-Vasquez, 24, are now charged with capital murder, robbery, and abduction for pecuniary benefit in a criminal act in association with a street gang.

Victor Arnoldo Rodas,19, is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and abduction for pecuniary benefit in a criminal act in association with a street gang.

"The witnesses that have been developed have  allowed us to bring these chargers and law-enforcement has been working nonstop since receiving the first call of the incident on Roaring Run Road on March 27," said Wes Nance.

The defendants are being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

All three are expected to be in court on Wednesday.

Below is an official press release from the Commonwealth's Attorney's office:

Today, the June session of the Bedford County Grand Jury was held to consider a number of proposed indictments. Three defendants who were previously charged for their alleged role in the death of Raymond Wood on or about March 27, 2017, saw their charges upgraded by these indictments.  True bills were returned against the following individuals.

Josue Coreas-Ventura, age 20, and Lisandro Posada-Vasquez, age 24, have now been charged with Capital Murder, Robbery, Abduction for Pecuniary Benefit and Participation in a Criminal Act in Association with a Criminal Street Gang.

The third defendant, Victor Arnoldo Rodas, age 19, has been charged with First Degree Murder, Robbery, Abduction for Pecuniary Benefit, along with Participation in a Criminal Act in Association with a Criminal Street Gang.

The difference in charges reflects the alleged differing levels of participation in the death of Raymond Wood.

Upon return of these true bills, arrest warrants will be issued and served against the three individuals.  The preliminary hearings for Coreas-Ventura, Posada-Vasquez, and Rodas, set for June 13, 2017, in Bedford's Juvenile and Domestic Court, will no longer take place as those charges will be nolle prosequied. The defendants are presently held without bond in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail System, and their initial appearance in the Bedford County Circuit Court will be determined after the service of the aforementioned arrest warrants.

The Commonwealth has carefully and thoughtfully decided to charge Capital Murder based upon the thorough investigation of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police, the Lynchburg City Police Department, and a multitude of other local, state, and federal agencies.  We also thank the Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney's Office for its assistance in these matters.  The investigation into the death of Raymond Wood continues even after these charges.  Therefore, anyone who believes that they may have information helpful to this investigation is urged to contact the Bedford County Sheriff's Office at 540-586-4800.

Each of these individuals is presumed to be innocent.  The fact that true bills have been returned against them does not change that presumption or the Commonwealth's burden of proof in criminal matters.