Authorities Say George Spence, 53, Sold $1 Million Worth Of Crack Cocaine
Last Year

OWNER OF ROANOKE ANTIQUES SHOP INDICTED ON DRUG-DEALING CHARGES

Four Other Men Also Have Been Indicted On Drug Charges, But Two Of Them Are
Still At Large.

When George Spence moved his antiques store to the 2900 block of Williamson
Avenue, he kept it open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Spence was dealing more than paraphernalia in his four-story shop, federal
authorities allege. In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, he was charged
with seven counts of dealing crack cocaine and one count of using a firearm
while selling drugs. Spence, 53, has been in federal custody since drug
agents and Roanoke police raided George's Place on Tuesday.

Federal authorities are also seeking the forfeiture of $1 million, the
amount federal authorities have determined the crack cocaine Spence
allegedly sold in 2001 was worth, said U.S. Attorney John Brownlee. They
also seek the transfer of Spence's Cadillac DeVille, two Chevy vehicles,
property owned by Spence and his wife in Salem and all the assets of
George's Place.

Four other men also were indicted on charges of dealing crack cocaine. They
include Keith E. Childress, 34, and Henry Junior Gunter, 45, both of
Roanoke, who made appearances in federal court Wednesday. Two other men,
Ronnie Vandon Neamo and James Granville Stokes, also were indicted and are
still at large, Brownlee said. Spence's detention hearing is set for this
morning.

Spence's wife, Janice, declined to comment, as did his attorney, Greg
Phillips of Salem.

There was no answer at George's Place on Wednesday night.