Deputies break up open air drug market in Madison

Madison County Sheriff's deputies arrested two Maryland men Friday in connection with an open-air drug market outside the town's limits, Sheriff Erik Weaver said Monday.

James Pinkney, 32, of Oxon Hill, Md. and Rodney Simms, 33, of Temple Hill, Md. face class two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or distribute. They are being held in the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange, Weaver said.

The sheriff said his office received several complaints of open-air drug dealing along Luther Lane right outside the corporate limits, leading deputies to respond to the area around 2 p.m. Friday. The suspects fled when police arrived and were arrested following a 20-yard foot pursuit, Weaver said.

A large amount of cash and crack cocaine were seized from the suspects along with a Chevrolet Suburban. Weaver said the commonwealth's attorney is investigating whether the men will face additional charges in connection with the foot pursuit.