The Shadow
ROCKBRIDGE CO., Va. (VR) – On February 10, 2025, the Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Field Office, arrested 67-year-old Earl Wayne Smith, of Rockbridge County, Va. Smith was arrested and charged with Prostitution, Transportation for Prostitution, Keeping or Residing a Bawdy Place, and Human Trafficking.
Smith was charged after a lengthy investigation, which lead the Virginia State Police into an extensive operation of Human Trafficking in the Roanoke Valley and Rockbridge County communities. Evidence of the charges were seized from several locations controlled by Smith, to include his residence. Items seized include physical evidence of the charges, narcotics and firearms.
Virginia State Police is continuing to follow-up on leads and interview witnesses involved in this investigation. If anyone has knowledge of Smith and these activities, you are asked to contact Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Field Office.
The Virginia State Police would like to highlight a texting tip-line and web form for the public to send anonymous tips to the Virginia State Police, Human Trafficking Unit.
Any witnesses or victims of Human Trafficking are encouraged to text 847411 on their phone and then type “VSP” followed by the tip. Anonymous web tips can be submitted through the tip411 web portal featured on the Virginia State Police website at https://www.tip411.com/tips/vastatepolice/new .
