A search warrant and arrest warrant were executed Tuesday afternoon in South Stafford.

On the afternoon of June 25th, members of the Special Problems Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, and SWAT Team responded to Cynthias Place to locate a wanted suspect, and execute a search warrant. The suspect involved was Ernest McCleese Jr., 29, of Stafford. He was wanted out of Stafford County for the distribution of controlled substances.

Deputies observed McCleese enter a vehicle and begin to drive away from the apartment complex. Deputies conducted a high-risk stop on Plantation Drive and took McCleese into custody without incident. Inside the vehicle, deputies located a firearm, despite him being a convicted felon. After being taken into custody, the search warrant was conducted at his residence, where another firearm was recovered.

As a result of our hard-working deputies, McCleese was served on his outstanding warrant and additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond and two guns has been taken of the streets. While deputies were in the area, they also located a stolen vehicle which resulted in additional arrests. That incident will be released at a later time.