Dwayne Sheffield
Former Chilhowie Virginia Police Chief Dwayne Sheffield entered a plea just as his trial on sex charges was set to begin. Sheffield entered an Alford plea yesterday to a charge of animate object sexual penetration charge. An Alford plea means he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged sufficient evidence exists for a conviction. As part of a plea agreement, a rape charge and three other charges against Sheffield were dropped. Sheffield and former Chilhowie Sergeant Brian Doss were indicted in May on charges that they committed sex crimes against a 17-year-old girl at a Halloween haunted house last fall. Doss’ trial is set for late December. Under the plea agreement, Sheffield was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with six years and 10 months suspended. He was given credit for time served, including time he has spent on home electronic monitoring.