[at-l] Alert: A.T. Volunteers, USFS Eastern Divide District

[Charles W. Davidson]

Most of you are now probably aware that last week two Virginia Tech 
college students were shot and killed at Caldwell Fields, a USFS camping 
area off of Rt. 621. This site is in the vicinity of the A.T. While 
there are no implications for the A.T., I have just been briefed by the 
USFS Eastern Divide Ranger District LEO about investigative activities 
in the area. I want to share that information with volunteer leaders in 
the Southwest and Central Virginia Region. Please distribute this 
information to your club membership as needed.

The incident that occurred last week was a brutal, horrible crime, and 
local officials are concerned. There is a joint local and federal 
investigation with Montgomery County Sheriff as lead. USFS, FBI, ATF, 
State Police, VT police, adjacent counties, several cities, Game 
Commission – every agency is involved and assisting in the 
investigation. USFS Law Enforcement Officers (LEO’s) are following up on 
leads, increasing patrols and surveillance, asking more officers to 
detail on the District, and are getting up-to-date information on the 
investigation. Given the fact that the investigation has lots of work 
yet to do, USFS LEO’s are taking precautions over the next week. They 
are asking that limited work take place in a few sections of the 
District, including the Poverty Creek area and the section of the 
Eastern Divide District between VA Rt. 460 and Rt. 311. The A.T. crosses 
this area at Rt. 42 and Rt. 621. This request is being made to USFS 
staff and I am extending that information to A.T. volunteers and ATC and 
NPS staff. No USFS staff, other than law enforcement, are required to 
work in this area. Please re-schedule any volunteer work that you may 
have planned in this area for the next week. The A.T. remains open, and 
the entire area is under heavy surveillance.

Ways to assist – LEO’s are asking people to be extra vigilant in all 
actions and locations. Please be looking for an old police car, 4-door 
sedan like Crown Victoria or Chevy Capris, light color, with spot light 
on the driver side. This is a car of “interest”. Please report any other 
unusual or suspicious activity to me and I will share that information 
directly with Teddy Mullins, LEO on the Eastern Divide District.

This communication is not meant to cause alarm, but is intended to raise 
awareness about a difficult situation in an area that some of you may be 
conducting volunteer work. Please do not hesitate to contact me should 
you have any additional questions. I expect to have another briefing by 
USFS staff next Tuesday, September 8. I appreciate your assistance in 
sharing this communication with volunteers in your clubs who may have 
plans to be in the area of concern over the next week or so.

Laura

Laura Belleville

Director of Conservation

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

P.O. Box 174

110 Southpark Drive

Blacksburg, VA 24063

Direct line: (540) 953-3564

ATC Office: (540) 953-3571

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization 
dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, 
historic, and cultural resources associated with the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail in order to provide primitive outdoor-recreation 
and educational opportunities for Trail visitors. To become a member, 
volunteer, or learn more, please visit us at www.appalachiantrail.org .