Brad Zinn

Staunton

Cops, Courts, and Breaking News Reporter at The News Leader (Staunton, VA)

I cover breaking news, courts and police-related issues in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.

Featured in: Favicon

newsleader.com Favicon

washingtonpost.com Favicon

usatoday.com Favicon

yahoo.com (+1) Favicon

usnews.com Favicon

washingtontimes.com Favicon

charlotteobserver.com Favicon

11alive.com Favicon

nbcwashington.com Favicon

tennessean.com + 74 more

Articles

Staunton Police Department chaplain retires after 24 years

1 day ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

Greg Czerniak retired as the Staunton Police Department chaplain after 24 years of volunteer service. Czerniak provided counseling, rode along with officers, and offered support to the department. He emphasized the importance of understanding police officers as individuals with personal lives and challenges.
Augusta County Sheriff's Office gets body, dash cameras

2 days ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office has implemented body cameras and dash cameras. The five-year contract for the Axon system costs nearly $500,000, covering body cams, dash cams, and operational expenses. The move follows increased calls for body cameras after two deputy-involved shootings in 2021. VERONA — The Augusta County Sheriff's Office has become the third local law enforcement agency to utilize body-worn cameras, nearly a year after the devices were approved.
Staunton man who placed young son in chokehold sentenced to prison

3 days ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

A Staunton man received a prison sentence for strangulation, child abuse, assault and battery, and failure to seek medical attention for his 8-year-old son. The man, Joshua P. Fortner, was already on probation for a prior assault on the same child. Fortner cited a difficult upbringing, military service-related trauma, and mental health struggles as contributing factors to his actions.
Suspect pleads not guilty to murder in death of baby in Augusta County

6 days ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

Damian Nesselrodt, 32, pleaded not guilty to murder in the death of 7-month-old Kyler Reule. The medical examiner ruled the death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. Nesselrodt has a prior conviction in Staunton for a violent assault that involved a baseball bat. STAUNTON — A suspect charged with killing a baby in 2023 pleaded not guilty to murder during his arraignment in Augusta County Circuit Court the morning of May 8. Damian D.
Waynesboro man facing 25 charges of possessing child pornography

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Brad Zinn

A Waynesboro man already jailed amid allegations he possessed sexual abuse images of children received a fresh batch of new charges on May 6, according to police. The Waynesboro Police Department initially arrested Jordan T. Urban, 30, on April 12. Capt.
Social media tip leads to arrest of Harrisonburg man in animal cruelty case

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Brad Zinn

With an assist from social media, the Harrisonburg Police Department said a man has been arrested in connection with an April incident where he's accused of hitting a dog and then striking a vehicle. On April 18, officers from the Harrisonburg Police Department responded to Lowe's on Linda Lane for a hit-and-run that had reportedly just taken place, a press release said.
Twin brother of Augusta County sheriff pleads guilty to felony drug charge

1 week ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

Ronald W. Smith, 42, brother of Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith, pleaded guilty to felony drug possession in Staunton Circuit Court. He received a two-year suspended sentence and two years of supervised probation. Smith faces additional charges in Augusta County for allegedly stealing and crashing his brother's semi-truck while intoxicated.
Sheriff's Office: Staunton man dies in custody following arrest

1 week ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

A 39-year-old Staunton man died in custody after being transported to Middle River Regional Jail. Stefan Gerencser was initially asked to leave a Sheetz, then later called 911 requesting medical assistance but refused treatment. Virginia State Police are investigating the incident. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said a man died while in custody the morning of May 5.
Sheriff's Office: Churchville man missing

1 week ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that a Churchville man is missing. Ronald L. Mitchell, 68, was last seen by a family member on April 30. The agency said Mitchell is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. The release said he is bald with brown eyes. Mitchell could be driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado with Virginia tags of VVK-2243.
Fishersville man's trespassing charges won't be prosecuted

1 week ago | newsleader.com | Brad Zinn

Zachary Cruz, 25, was arrested earlier this tear after being accused of trespassing on the properties of Wilson Middle School, Wilson High School and the Valley Career and Technical Center. However, Cruz was initially overcharged and the trespassing charges were amended. Cruz is also listed as the victim in an ongoing case where it's alleged he had $426,000 stolen from him by a Fishersville couple and a third suspect.