Accused drug traffickers arrested for robbery scheme that ended in murder and setting body on fire

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ/US Attorney’s Office Release) - A federal grand jury in Roanoke has charged two Central Virginia men with federal crimes related to a 2023 drug robbery and murder in which one suspect set the victim’s body on fire, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

The grand jury alleges Joseph Richard Walker, 30 of Roanoke, and Garrett Isaac Williams, 21 of Lynchburg, “conspired to traffic marijuana, committed robbery and conspired to commit robbery,” according to federal prosecutors. The indictment also alleges Walker fired a gun as part of the drug trafficking and robbery, possessed firearms as a prohibited person and committed arson.

According to court records and public documents, beginning around January 2023, Walker and Williams conspired to sell large amounts of marijuana they bought from the victim, Ethan Bert, 20, in York, Pennsylvania. By early April 2023, the suspects had accrued a $40,000 drug debt to the victim, according to prosecutors. Rather than pay the debt, they arranged a final marijuana delivery from the victim and planned to rob him when he arrived. April 17, 2023, the victim traveled to Walker’s house in southeast Roanoke, where Walker shot the victim twice in the head and stole the marijuana. After killing the victim, Walker loaded his body into the trunk of the car and drove to a rural road in Bedford County where Walker set fire to the car.

Virginia State Police had also arrested Jonathan Dewayne Bell, 34, of Goodview. Bell was charged with Accessory after the Fact-Homicide.

“There is no higher priority for my Office than keeping our communities safe by prosecuting violent crime,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said. “The federal charges brought in this case show the determination of the United States Attorney’s Office — and our local, state, and federal partners — to hold those who commit these acts accountable.”

“Our dedication to protecting the public from violent offenders in collaboration with our partners is unwavering. We will continue to work together to make our communities safer,” FBI Richmond Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador said. “This indictment highlights the steadfast commitment of federal, state, and local partners to hold violent criminals accountable.”

“These two arrests are the result of the exceptional and relentless investigative work of law enforcement from a myriad of agencies,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Within 48 hours, our special agents had identified Walker and Williams as the murder suspects and had state charges placed thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the US Marshals Service, FBI, Roanoke City Police, Roanoke County Police, the Bedford County and Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.”