Bristol Virginia Victim/Witness Assistance Program

08/20/2026

Please note:  Juror Questionnaires for 2027 have been mailed. A summons for jury duty will always come via the mail or personal service, not a phone call. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of your jury summons, please contact the Clerk's Office at 276-645-7321, Monday through Friday, 8...

08/18/2026

Leaving an abuser doesn’t always end the fight—it can follow you straight into court. ⚖️

For many survivors, family court, custody battles, and protection orders become new places where control and intimidation show up. That’s why trauma-informed legal help matters—because “normal” legal strategies don’t always work when coercive control and post-separation abuse are in play.

The tough part? Cost. Financial abuse can leave people with little or nothing—but options like legal aid, referrals, limited-scope help, and survivor-informed guidance can make representation possible when it feels out of reach 💜

If you’ve been through this (or supported someone who has), what’s one thing you wish more people understood about navigating court after abuse? Share in the comments or pass this along to someone who might need it. 🧭

🔗 https://zpr.io/s4jrG2RK9fKm

08/11/2026

The Bristol Virginia Police Department says quick action by dispatchers, officers and FedEx employees prevented more than $153,000 from reaching scammers.

Police say the incident began August 8, when a victim received fraudulent text messages appearing to come from Wells Fargo. The victim was convinced there were problems with their financial accounts and unauthorized charges.

Believing the messages were legitimate, the victim obtained a $153,860.80 cashier’s check and overnighted it to an address in New York City.

Once the scam was reported, Bristol Virginia Central Dispatch and police immediately worked with FedEx to locate and intercept the package.

The check was recovered before it reached the scammers and returned to the victim.

Police are reminding residents that scammers often create a sense of urgency and fear to pressure victims into acting quickly.

Officials recommend:
• Don’t trust an unexpected call, text or email simply because it appears to come from your bank.
• Never send money or a cashier’s check based solely on an unsolicited message or phone call.
• Contact your bank directly using a verified phone number.
• Be suspicious of anyone demanding immediate action.
• Talk to someone you trust before sending a large amount of money.

According to Bristol police, residents in Bristol and surrounding communities have reportedly lost more than $500,000 to similar scams over the past three years.

Police say if you believe you’ve already sent money or a package to a scammer, contact your financial institution, shipping company and law enforcement immediately

07/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bristol Virginia Police Man Arrested on Multiple Child Exploitation Charges

BRISTOL, VA – July 17, 2026 - On June 15, 2026, Detectives with the Horn Lake Police Department in Horn Lake, Mississippi, contacted detectives with the Bristol Virginia Police Department regarding an investigation that began after the mother of a 15-year-old juvenile female reported concerns involving her daughter.

During the investigation, detectives determined the juvenile had been communicating through the Discord application with a 29-year-old male from Bristol, Virginia. Based on information developed during the investigation, detectives with the Bristol Virginia Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for the suspect's residence to seize electronic recording and storage devices belonging to or regularly used by the suspect.

On June 15, 2026, detectives executed the search warrant at a residence in the1500 block of Overhill Road, Bristol, Virginia. Additional search warrants were subsequently obtained for electronic data, including text messages, photographs, phone records, and Discord communications from two desktop computers and the suspect's cellular phone.

As a result of the investigation, William Tollie, 29, of Bristol, Virginia, was arrested and charged with:

• Felony Possession of Child Po*******hy
• Felony Solicitation of a Child at Least 15 but Less Than 18 Years of Age
• Felony Use of a Computer to Commit Certain S*x Offenses

Tollie was transported to the Abingdon Facility of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, where he was held without bond.

As the investigation continued, detectives worked with the Virginia State Police High Tech Crimes Unit to conduct forensic examinations of the seized electronic devices. Data recovered from one of the suspect's desktop computers revealed more than 8,000 images of child po*******hy.

On July 1, 2026, Bristol Virginia Police Department detectives obtained 50 additional felony warrants for Possession of Child Po*******hy based on evidence recovered during the forensic examination. Tollie remains incarcerated without bond on the additional charges.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives continue to analyze digital evidence, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

The Bristol Virginia Police Department would like to thank the Horn Lake Police Department and the Virginia State Police High Tech Crimes Unit for their assistance throughout this investigation.

05/30/2026

These words stay with us.

As victim advocates, we often wish we could fix everything. We wish we could erase trauma, undo violence, provide every answer, and make the pain disappear overnight. But the truth is, sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is simply our presence.

To listen without judgment.
To sit with someone in their hardest moment.
To remind them they are not alone.
To believe them.
To let them cry.

There isn’t always a perfect solution. Healing is not linear, and crises do not come with easy answers. But showing compassion, patience, and humanity matters more than we sometimes realize.

This is Why We Do What We Do (WWDWWD).

Because every person deserves to be heard.
Every survivor deserves dignity.
And sometimes, being a safe voice in the dark is the beginning of hope.



https://vanetwork.givecloud.co/

05/15/2026

04/28/2026

04/23/2026

Our National Crime Victims' Rights Week newsletter features compelling information, helpful tools and resources, including....

- program news from Victims' Services Manager, Kristina Vadas
- helpful crime victims and witness rights resources
- the latest victims' advocacy trainings
- research on observed trends in violent crime
- Virginia Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act E-learning Module

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/National-Crime-Victims--Rights-Week.html?soid=1134909022327&aid=KrzdFYbnevY

04/21/2026

In recognition of S*xual Assault Awareness Month, learn more about DCJS's programs and resources to support victims of sexual assault and other crimes. https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims-services