Lynchburg man helped by corrections official to access restricted systems and evade arrest pleads guilty in court
Lynchburg, Virginia -A 28-year-old Lynchburg man has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges after conspiring with a probation official to unlawfully access a protected police database and evade arrest while being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Brendon Cole Webber, who had been under supervision by the Lynchburg Community Corrections & Pretrial Services Department (LCCPS), entered a guilty plea to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of conspiracy against the United States.
According to court documents, Webber’s criminal activity escalated in August 2023 when he began a romantic relationship with Jennifer Leigh Peters, who was then serving as Acting Director of LCCPS. Peters, in her official capacity, had access to the Lynchburg Police Department’s confidential Records Management System (RMS), a restricted computer system containing sensitive law enforcement information.
Accessing Protected Law Enforcement Data
Between November 11, 2023, and January 9, 2024, Webber and Peters plotted together to illegally access the RMS. Peters provided Webber with confidential, non-public law enforcement information from the RMS, and Webber shared some of this sensitive material with others — a clear violation of federal and local law.
During this time, authorities had issued a warrant for Webber’s arrest on November 30, 2023, after he was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm under Virginia law. Both Webber and Peters were aware of the active warrant, as well as the U.S. Marshals’ ongoing fugitive manhunt to bring him into custody.
Rather than assist in his apprehension, Peters helped Webber flee. Around December 19, 2023, at Webber’s request, she drove him from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Hughestown, Pennsylvania, deliberately aiding him in obstructing the Marshals’ fugitive mission. At Webber’s direction, she even reserved a hotel room along the way. He remained on the run until U.S. Marshals arrested him in Hughestown on January 9, 2024.
Violent Public Incident Preceded Arrest Warrant
The warrant for Webber’s arrest stemmed from a public incident that took place in Lynchburg. According to law enforcement records, officers were flagged down by a citizen on Fifth Street after the person witnessed a man fall from a moving vehicle and then fire a weapon at the vehicle as it drove away. The suspect was later identified as Brendon Cole Webber.
The same man reportedly fled the scene toward a nearby Family Dollar store. Two other drivers witnessed Webber fall from the vehicle and said he approached them, asking for a ride just as law enforcement arrived.
Police quickly secured the scene and searched the vehicle Webber had attempted to enter. Inside, officers discovered a loaded 9 mm handgun, a white bag believed to contain methamphetamine, and a wallet that belonged to someone other than Webber, all located in the back seat where he had been sitting.
Multiple Charges and Guilty Pleas
In addition to the federal charges he pled guilty to this week, Webber previously admitted guilt to state charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm. His actions — from illegally possessing a firearm as a felon to manipulating his probation officer for access to police records — highlight an alarming misuse of authority and trust.
The case remains an example of how deeply damaging it can be when individuals in positions of power, like Peters, misuse their access to help fugitives escape justice. Sentencing for Webber will take place at a later date.
