WISE, Va. — A jury has found a Wise County man guilty of drug charges.

Dennis Wayne Russell, 60, of Appalachia, had been charged with distributing a Schedule II controlled substance and distributing a Schedule II controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. He was accused of selling meth in the Norton Walmart parking lot, at a location close to Central High School.

Following a one-day trial, the jury convicted him on both counts.

“We are thankful for the outcome of this jury trial,” said Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney Corey Salyers, who prosecuted the case along with Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney Daniel Fast.  “Methamphetamine is poisoning our community, and together with law enforcement we are doing all that we can to combat the distribution of this drug in our region.”

Russell will be back in court Sept. 4, for sentencing.