FORMER STUDENT PLEADS NO CONTEST TO DRUG CHARGES IN 'BABYFACE' CASE

Drug Deals Were Made While Passing Notes In Class; The Former
Northside High School Student Was Charged With Distributing LSD And
Marijuana.

A 19-year-old former Northside High School student on Monday joined
three of his peers in pleading no contest to drug charges stemming
from an undercover drug investigation in which a police officer posed
as a student.

So far, nine students have been charged in the investigation, called
Operation Babyface. On Monday, Russell Scott Bailes, 19, pleaded no
contest in Roanoke County Circuit Court to two felony distribution
charges in exchange for the commonwealth dropping a third misdemeanor
charge. Friday, three juveniles pleaded no contest to drug
distribution charges.

Bailes, of Shull Road, entered pleas on charges of distributing LSD
and distributing marijuana. Judge Roy Willett agreed to take the
charges under advisement pending a Feb. 26 sentencing hearing.

Roanoke County police Officer K.L. Moulton spent 10 months posing as
a high school junior at Northside and then at William Byrd High
School for summer school. The intent was to pinpoint drug activity
among students.

Bailes was accused of selling $120 worth of marijuana to Moulton on
April 12 and $25 worth of LSD on May 10. In both cases, arrangements
were made during an exchange of notes in class, said Roanoke County
Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Burkart. Bailes was 18 at the time.

Because of their age, Bailes and Derek Alexander Chapman, who is
scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, were brought before a Roanoke
County grand jury. Both were indicted.

The charges against Bailes carry a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.