Seeking Sage: Reward offered in case of missing teen

Nearly a month after Charlottesville teen Dashad "Sage" Smith vanished on November 20, after last being seen around the 500 block of West Main Street, Charlottesville Police have announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

The anonymous donation is being offered through Crimestoppers, says Charlottesville Police Lt. Ronnie Roberts, who confirms that a search of Old Dominion Landfill in Henrico County, about five miles southeast of downtown Richmond, began Monday, December 17 and continued December 18. As many as 14 officers from the Charlottesville Police department combed the refuse for any evidence or information that would assist in finding Smith, whose family and friends marked his 20th birthday on December 13 in his absence.

The search of the landfill, where a portion of Charlottesville trash is taken, says Roberts, did not result from a specific tip.

"It's a stone that you have to turn over and look at," says Roberts, who notes that other searches have taken place locally and that police are also still looking for another Charlottesville man, 22-year-old Erik McFadden, who reportedly had planned to meet Smith, who primarily dressed and identified as a female, the day he disappeared.

Members of Smith's family have expressed frustration that investigators have waited too long to conduct such searches, and that they have not asked for assistance from outside law enforcement agencies including the FBI and the Virginia State Police.

In particular, Smith's cousin Kenneth Jackson believes such agencies could help local authorities locate McFadden.

"If he's across state lines, wouldn't it behoove you to get a warrant faster and cross state lines quicker?" asks Jackson.

Jackson and other family members have already held several vigils and are planning a "praise rally" for Saturday, December 22 at a yet-to-be determined location that will be announced on the "Find Dashad 'Sage' Smith" Facebook page.

Anyone with information in the case should contact Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.