Pair sentenced on drug, dog fighting charges

By JEFFREY SIMMONS/Staff

A Rural Retreat couple arrested in 2006 on drug and dog fighting charges avoided prison time this week in a deal with the prosecution.
Sean Dayton Burlarley and Sandra Kay Burlarley were each convicted of two felony charges Thursday in Wythe County Circuit Court after entering guilty and no contest pleas, respectively.
In exchange for the pleas, the commonwealth’s attorney recommended that the couple get suspended prison sentences and probation. They also have to pay the costs associated with housing the dogs police took from their property in August 2006.
Sean Burlarley, 33, and Sandra Burlarley, 29, were arrested after officers searched their Rural Retreat residence and found marijuana plants growing in the yard, a methamphetamine lab and 10 American bulldogs – one of which tried to attack an officer and was shot and killed.
Police also found evidence that the dogs had been trained to attack and had been used in dog fighting.
The couple were originally charged with manufacturing marijuana, organized dog fighting, possessing a controlled substance and manufacturing methamphetamine. The commonwealth, though, dropped the marijuana charge and possession charge against Sean Burlarley and the possession charge and manufacturing meth charge against Sandra Burlarley as part of written plea agreements.
Sean Burlarley was ordered to complete a diversion center program that is an alternative to incarceration, placed on probation for three years and given a six-month driver’s license suspension. He also waived his fourth amendment rights, which gives police the green light to search him or his property at any time. Sandra Burlarley received a similar sentence, but was not put into a diversion program.
According to the agreement, both defendants can still possess or own companion animals.
Sean Burlarley was listed as a “self-employed dog decoy” in court documents, and Sandra Burlarley was listed as a self-employed dog trainer working in North Carolina.
In an unrelated court case heard last week:
Casey Dewayne Davis, 31, of Max Meadows pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine and was convicted of violating his probation. Davis was given a two-year, six-month sentence to serve and will be on three years of probation after his release. He also waived his fourth amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 228-6611 or .