VIRGINIA BRIEFING

-- Annie Gowen

ARLINGTON CRIME

Man Is Shot in Columbia Pike Supermarket

A friend of a store employee's was shot and wounded last night inside an Arlington County supermarket during a suspected robbery, police said.

A masked gunman entered the Honduras Supermarket in the 3200 block of Columbia Pike shortly before 8 p.m. and shot a 50-year-old man in the upper body before fleeing, police spokesman John Lisle said.

"There was no indication he was provoked" into shooting the man, Lisle said. The victim, whose name was not released, was being treated at a hospital. His condition was not immediately known.

Lisle said details of the shooting were unclear last night.

-- Allan Lengel

HENRY COUNTY

Former Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty in Scheme

A rural sheriff who stepped down after being indicted with 12 current and former officers in a scheme to sell drugs seized from criminals pleaded not guilty to the federal charges yesterday.

"We're glad the process can now begin," said John E. Lichtenstein, attorney for H.F. "Frank" Cassell.

Lichtenstein said defense attorneys have a substantial amount of government evidence to review, which he said they will approach "with vigor."

Cassell was arraigned in U.S. District Court with three Henry County Sheriff's Department officers indicted in the racketeering conspiracy, all of whom pleaded not guilty. Arraignments for the rest were scheduled through tomorrow.

The indictment returned Oct. 31 said Cassell, 68, looked the other way as officers sold drugs seized in criminal investigations and stole guns and other evidence. He is charged with impeding federal agents' investigation and money laundering.

-- Associated Press