Radford Reads Program with Author Ron Peterson, Jr.
Venue: Radford Public Library, Radford
Organizations: Ron Peterson, Jr.
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Event Types: Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free
Description:
Radford Public Library presents a Radford Reads Program on Zoom with Author Ron Peterson, Jr. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Virginia author and Radford University alum Ron Peterson, Jr. will be discussing his newest book, "Chasing the Squirrel", the true story of notorious drug smuggler Wally Thrasher, whose investigation led to the biggest drug bust in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic history in 1986.

Wally Thrasher grew up in Pulaski County and lived in a mountain estate near Virginia's New River Valley in Bland County. He owned oceanfront homes and yachts in Florida, spent weekends in the Caribbean and laundered money in Las Vegas, where he partied with Frank Sinatra's entourage.

Ron Peterson Jr. is a Virginia-based author whose best-selling true crime books explore compelling mysteries and consistently receive five-star reviews.

Peterson’s first book, "Under the Trestle" was selected as one of the Top 100 true crime books of all time and is currently in development with Mactavish Pictures as a documentary film or series. "Under the Trestle" is based on the local case of Radford University student Gina Renee Hall who disappeared in 1980. Stephen Epperly was later arrested and sentenced for her murder, making it Virginia’s first ever "no-body" murder trial.

Peterson followed with "Chasing the Squirrel", the true story of notorious drug smuggler Wally Thrasher, also a case well known to the New River Valley. Thrasher and his wife Olga lived in the New River Valley while he flew out of Florida and became one of the most-wanted drug smugglers by the FBI. Thrasher supposedly died in a fiery plane crash an investigation proved that it had been staged. Peterson’s book has been optioned to Los-Angeles-based Urban Legends Film Company for development as a television series.

Author Ron Peterson, Jr. attended Radford University and was a communications major. He has been published in newspapers throughout the state and in internal publications for two Fortune 500 companies. His career includes work at the Virginian Pilot and Cox Media, where he earned the company's annual "Outstanding Performance" award. Peterson's background also includes managing corporate television advertising campaigns on CNN, Fox News and ESPN. He is currently a board member of the Hampton Roads Sports Media Hall of Fame.

Links:

• https://www.underthetrestle.com/
• https://www.twitter.com/Ron_Peterson

Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Zoom Meeting ID: 883 9160 8168
Passcode: 084416

To view the event flyer, visit: https://imgur.com/44SxqBK.

For more information, visit: http://www.radfordva.gov/326/Library or https://www.facebook.com/radford.public.library or call 540-731-3621 or email Elizabeth.sensabaugh@radfordva.gov if you have any questions.