A Stuart man is facing federal charges after what authorities have called the largest methamphetamine bust in Patrick County history. Mark Lucas Tatum, 48, was arrested on July 1, 2025, following a multi-agency investigation that involved covert surveillance, GPS tracking, and a coordinated takedown by law enforcement.
Tatum was previously out on bond from an April felony eluding charge and under court-ordered home electronic monitoring. First Sergeant Barry Vipperman, who oversees the monitoring program, flagged an alert after Tatum’s GPS tracker showed he was more than 150 miles outside of Patrick County, in direct violation of his release conditions.
Investigator Oscar Tejeda from the Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit began tracking Tatum’s movements and coordinated with Virginia State Police narcotics agents. Due to Tatum’s history of eluding law enforcement, a takedown team was assembled that included deputies, state troopers, and a K9 unit from the Martinsville Police Department.
The team conducted a traffic stop on Via’s Orchard Road, just off U.S. 58, where Tatum was arrested without incident. A search of his vehicle led to the discovery of more than seven pounds of suspected methamphetamine and approximately three ounces of cocaine mixed with fentanyl. Authorities estimate the street value of the narcotics to be around $200,000, enough to supply more than 3,000 users.
Sheriff Dan Smith stated that investigators have long believed Tatum to be a major supplier to local drug dealers. He called the arrest a crucial move toward dismantling a broader criminal network and said more arrests are expected.
Tatum is currently being held without bond for violating the conditions of his home monitoring. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Drug Enforcement Administration are involved in the case, which will be prosecuted at the federal level.
Sheriff Smith praised the coordination between local and state law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that their combined effort was key to ensuring public safety and removing a significant quantity of dangerous drugs from the community. The investigation remains active.
