Man Involved in March 18 Homicide Arrested by U.S. Marshals Task Force

Martinsburg, WV – Members of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) today arrested in Harper's Ferry a Falling Waters man wanted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for murder.

Norman Bradford, 49, is suspected of conspiring with others in the murders of Danielle Tyler and Heather Grogg in an effort to cover up the homicide of Jonathan Riddle, whose body was found badly burned in Rippon March 18. Police investigation revealed Riddle had been assaulted, kidnapped from Carroll County, Maryland, and eventually killed and burned in West Virginia. Four others who are alleged to have participated in the crime -- Monroe Merrell, David Sanford, and John Black – have since been arrested and remain in custody.

The Sheriff's Department was able to determine on April 6, Jeff Smith, Sanford, and Emily Day brought Tyler and Grogg to the residence of April Braner in the 300 block of Burnside Drive, and on April 7, Merrell, Smith and Bradford left the residence with Grogg. The three are alleged to have taken her to another location, where she was shot and killed. Bradford is also suspected to have participated in disposing of her body.

The U.S. Marshals Service was asked by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to arrest Bradford, who is known by the alias "Six Three" in the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The agency developed information Bradford was staying in a motor home on a property on Valmont Lane in Harpers Ferry. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service task force and the Jefferson County Special Weapons Attack Team located him there and took him into custody without incident.

"These murders were heinous crimes, and the individuals who committed these violent acts showed a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life," said U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia J.C. Raffety. "I am particularly proud of the part the U.S. Marshals play in providing assistance to our local partners to locate and apprehend their most violent fugitives. This community is safer because of it."

Additional information on this case may be obtained from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. A photo of Bradford may be found on the Eastern Regional Jail's web page.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency, having served the country since 1789.