Woodbridge Men Arrested in Moonshine Bust

Special agents of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control have arrested two Woodbridge men after they tried to sell illegal alcohol and distilling equipment on Craigslist.

Lee Joseph Chraska, 26, and Joseph Allen Chraska, 23, were arrested and face charges including felonies for illegal manufacturing of alcohol.

VABC said that they were monitoring a Craigslist advertisement for a still, which is used to manufacture moonshine and is illegal to possess in Virginia.

According to a press release, one of the suspects allegedly provided extensive information to agents about the still’s operation and details about the moonshine’s quality and alcoholic content, stating that the still had been used to produce 196-proof alcohol.

Undercover ABC agents along with the Stafford Sheriff’s Office conducted a controlled buy of one of the stills in Stafford. Once the initial still was purchased and a moonshine sample was provided to the undercover agent, Lee Joseph Chraska was arrested and taken into custody.

At the same time, agents executed a search warrant at Joseph Allen Chraska's Woodbridge home was arrested after an additional larger still, moonshine, marijuana and a handgun were seized.

He was also arrested and charged in Prince William County for the illegal manufacturing of alcohol that allegedly took place at his residence. Joseph Allen Chraska was arrested and charged in Prince William County. Both suspects were released on unsecured bond.

In total, Lee Joseph Chraska was charged with the possession of untaxed alcohol, possession of a distilling apparatus by VABC and illegal manufacture of alcohol by Prince William County police.

Joseph Allen Chraska was charged by Prince William County police for illegal manufacturing of alcohol, manufacturing of alcohol while armed and possession of marijuana.