A Shenandoah County man wanted by authorities earlier this week now sits in jail after his arrest on Wednesday.

Jessie Lee Herald, 37, of New Market, remains held without bond at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail on drug and firearm-related charges. Herald is scheduled to appear in Shenandoah County General District Court today.

The Sheriff’s Office posted on social media on Monday that it needed help from the public to find Herald. Authorities sought Herald on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm. The Sheriff’s Office advised that it considered Herald armed and dangerous and warned anyone who saw the suspect to not approach him.

The Sheriff’s Office announced on social media and in a news release on Thursday that deputies had arrested Herald on charges of obstruction of justice, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, abduction and four firearm-related offenses.

The deputies located and stopped a vehicle at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday in the 5500 block of Main Street, Mount Jackson, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Herald, a passenger in the vehicle, stepped out and ran. 

Sheriff’s Office Capt. Brent Lutz said by phone on Thursday that Herald had forced the driver at gunpoint to drive the vehicle, which prompted the deputies to charge the suspect with abduction and brandishing a firearm.

“During the course of initiating that traffic stop, Mr. Herald demanded that the driver of the vehicle to continue driving,” Lutz said.

Deputies caught Herald after a brief foot pursuit and took him into custody, Lutz said. Deputies searched Herald and found methamphetamine on him, Lutz said. They also found evidence, including a gun holster, that indicated he had possessed a firearm, Lutz said. Deputies didn’t find a weapon when they arrested Herald. Deputies found a weapon on Thursday morning during a search of the area where they apprehended Herald, Lutz said.

After his arrest, Herald complained he was injured so he was taken to the hospital where he was cleared by medical staff and released before deputies transported him to the jail, Lutz said. The driver reported no injuries and cooperated with law enforcement officers, Lutz said.

Lutz commented on Herald’s arrest.

“It was a relief to have (Herald) off the streets,” Lutz said, citing the firearm charges. “It’s kind of one of those things you don’t want individuals like that running around so it was nice to have him apprehended.”