A York County man is facing several charges after police say he gave a woman money for drugs in exchange for sex and later offered heroin to a confidential informant.
Theologos Ioannis Stratas, 56, is charged with intent to distribute heroin, solicitation of prostitution and conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act, Williamsburg Police spokesman Maj. Greg Riley said.
Stratas was arrested Monday after a weeklong investigation sparked by a traffic stop on Route 132 near Capitol Landing Road in Williamsburg, according to court documents.
Williamsburg Investigator Lang Craighill stopped a vehicle operated by Stratas on June 25, a criminal complaint filed in open court states.
A trained narcotics canine detected the presence of drugs in the car, which had both Stratas and a woman inside.
A police search uncovered needles, a spoon and “an amount of powdery substance,” later identified as heroin, allegedly in the woman’s possession, the complaint says.
Police seized the drugs and and Stratas’ cellphone, then examined it after obtaining a search warrant.
Texts on Stratas’ phone showed Stratas arranged to provide the woman with money to purchase drugs in exchange for sex.
The woman confirmed with police that was the intent of the encounter, and Stratas told police he had previously given the woman money in exchange for sex, the complaint says.
A week later, on Monday, a confidential informant met with Stratas at his residence on Harrop Lane in York County. Stratas offered heroin to her, but she declined, saying she would need it later.
The informant then watched Stratas hide the heroin in the bathroom.
The informant later told police what she had seen.
Police went to Stratas’ house around 8 p.m. Monday and arrested him on outstanding warrants for solicitation of prostitution and conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.
Police searched the house on Harrop Lane and found heroin in the bathroom.
Stratas was taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, where the officer obtained an additional warrant for possession of heroin with intent to distribute, Riley said.
Stratas was held on a $3,500 secure bond.
Online court records for the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court had not been updated with the newest charges against Stratas as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Court records show Stratas has been previously charged with driving-related offenses, such as speeding.
