Men arrested for operating illegal still in Pittsylvania County to be sentenced

Two men arrested in December in connection with the operation of an illegal still in Callands have pleaded guilty and will face sentencing in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court.

Ricky Lynn Easley, 55, and Daniel Ray Matthews, 37, both of Callands, were arrested in the 6400 block of Sago Road by special agents with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and by Pittsylvania County sheriff’s deputies on Dec. 7, 2011.

Agents apprehended the men where the whiskey was being manufactured, according to the Virginia ABC.

Agents seized six 800-gallon illegal stills, three copper still caps, two condensers, 1,600 pounds of sugar, 200 pounds of barley, 12 pounds of yeast, 288 plastic gallon jugs and a large number of caps.

Easley pleaded guilty on April 9 to illegal manufacture of alcohol, possession of distilling apparatus and possession/transportation of illegal alcohol. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 21 in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court.

Matthews pleaded guilty Monday to illegal manufacture of alcohol and possession of distilling apparatus. A charge of possession/transportation of alcohol was dismissed. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., June 11 in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court.

The manufacture of illegal whiskey is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, or 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Possession of illegal whiskey and possession of distilling apparatus are each punishable by up to 12 months in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.