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Updated: 7:22 AM May 19, 2009
Two Arrests Made in Valley Homicide
Harrisonburg, Va. The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested two people in connection to a body that was found near Switzer Dam last month.
Posted: 10:23 AM May 18, 2009Reporter: Michael Hyland Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com |
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The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested two people in connection to a body that was found near Switzer Dam last month.
The two men, 21-year-old Justin Michael Bindel and 21-year-old Brian Patrick Bingham, were arrested in Jacksonville, Florida. They face charges of first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The body of 20-year-old Michael Ryan Tolsdorf was found April 10 by a turkey hunter just a couple of miles from the West Virginia border.
Tolsdorf's last known address is in Staunton. Neighbors say he stayed with Bingham for at least a few weeks earlier this year while he looked for a job.
A coroner's report says the body had been in the woods for two weeks at the most. Officials were looking into missing persons reports to try and identify Tolsdorf.
Officials believe Tolsdorf was murdered elsewhere and then his body was dumped near the dam.
Tolsdorf was wanted by the Staunton Police Department after failing to show in court on a misdemeanor charge.
Bindel was charged by Staunton police in March for animal cruelty. Police say he beat an eight-week-old puppy.
In April, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office arrested him for drug possession. On April 10, the same day Tolsdorf's body was found near Switzer Dam, Bindel posted bail and was released.
Bingham and Bindel are being held by Jacksonville, Florida police. They also face narcotics charges.
"We feel comfortable that we'll get them back to Rockingham County, whether it be in a matter of days or a matter of weeks," says Commonwealth's Attorney Marsha Garst.
"It's been a very difficult case, but it's one that is heading down a road where we're doing all that we can for the victim," says Don Farley, Rockingham County Sheriff.
A third man was also charged with murder in this case. Court records show charges against him were dropped Monday morning.
Neither the sheriff's office nor the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office would comment on that.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is waiting to hear when the men will be extradited from Florida to Rockingham County.
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