From left, Ramiro R Chavez and Timothy B. Bland

Clifton Forge Police Secure Lengthy Sentences in Two Serious Sexual Offense Cases   Clifton Forge, VA (Sept. 14, 2026) - The following is a news release (in full) from the Clifton Forge Police Department: "The Clifton Forge Police Department is announcing significant convictions and sentences in two separate cases involving serious sexual offenses. Both cases resulted in substantial periods of incarceration and sex-offender registration requirements. The Clifton Forge Police Department remains committed to investigating crimes involving the exploitation and abuse of children and animals and will continue to work closely with the Alleghany County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to hold offenders accountable under Virginia law. Ramiro Resendiz Chavez On August 3, 2026, Ramiro Resendiz Chavez was convicted of ten counts of Virginia Code § 18.2-361.01, Sexual Abuse of Animals, and one count of Virginia Code § 18.2-374.3, Use of Communications Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving Children. The court imposed a sentence of five years for each of the ten sexual abuse of animals convictions and 30 years for the communications-related offense, for a total sentence of 80 years. The court suspended five years on each of the ten sexual abuse of animals convictions and 20 years on the communications-related conviction. As a result, Chavez will serve a total of 10 years of active incarceration, including five years that constitute mandatory minimum time. Upon his release, he will be subject to specified conditions and probation. Chavez was also ordered to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors, maintaining social media accounts, or using the internet, pursuant to the court’s orders. Chief B.S. Balser served as the investigator in this case. Timothy Bryant Bland On June 2, 2026, Timothy Bryant Bland was convicted of 14 counts of Virginia Code § 18.2-374.3, Use of Communications Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving Children, including 13 counts classified as second or subsequent violations, and 13 counts of Virginia Code § 18.2-374.1:1, Possession, Reproduction, Distribution, Solicitation, and Facilitation of Child Pornography, including 12 counts classified as second or subsequent violations. The court imposed a sentence of five years for each of the 27 convictions, resulting in a total sentence of 135 years. The court suspended 110 years, leaving a total confining sentence of 25 years, including 13 years of active incarceration that constitute mandatory minimum time. Upon his release, Bland will be subject to specified conditions and probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors, maintaining social media accounts, or using the internet, pursuant to the court’s orders. Investigator V.L. Bowman served as the investigator in this case. Commitment to Public Safety The Clifton Forge Police Department takes crimes involving the sexual exploitation and abuse of children extremely seriously. The Department remains committed to conducting thorough investigations and pursuing prosecution to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Department also recognizes and appreciates the cooperation and partnership of the Alleghany County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in successfully prosecuting these cases. The Clifton Forge Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding suspected criminal activity or the exploitation of children to contact the Department or the appropriate law enforcement agency."

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