
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994                   TAG: 9408030083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                 LENGTH: Short

MAN CHARGED WITH AIMING AT COPTER

A 37-year-old Cedar Springs man has been charged with aiming a high-powered rifle at a marijuana-spotting National Guard helicopter.

FBI agents arrested Jack A. Upchurch this week and charged him with pointing the weapon at the helicopter during a July 25 marijuana eradication effort which also involved the Wythe County Sheriff's Office, state police and the U.S. Forest Service.

Several marijuana plants off Virginia 734 were spotted and destroyed . The aircraft, occupied by a pilot, co-pilot and spotter, took evasive action and no shots were fired.

Upchurch, originally from Raleigh, N.C., was arrested near his camper trailer without incident.

by CNB