What impact will Louise Lucas arrest have on Virginia politics?

NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas entered a federal courtroom in shackles Thursday afternoon, appearing alongside five other people charged in a sprawling criminal case involving allegations of marijuana trafficking, money laundering and public corruption.

Lucas appeared with her two daughters, a grandson and two other people named in the indictment.

All six were released under conditions that included no contact with victims and no discussion of the case with co-defendants.

Federal authorities allege Lucas, one of Virginia's most powerful Democrats, helped lead what they called the “Lucas Enterprise,” which prosecutors accuse of acquiring and distributing large quantities of marijuana and laundering the proceeds.

The indictment charges Lucas and six other defendants, including several of her relatives.

Prosecutors allege Lucas used her political influence to help insulate the operation from scrutiny.

The indictment accuses the group of arranging for the acquisition and distribution of at least 100 kilograms of marijuana.

Lucas has served in the Virginia Senate for decades and is president pro tempore of the chamber. She also chairs the powerful Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

“The charges alleged in this indictment reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

The charges came months after the FBI searched Lucas' district office and a cannabis business in which she has an ownership stake. At the time, Lucas, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's administration, characterized the investigation as an effort to intimidate her.

“This is the circus we always expected it to be,” Brian Woolfolk, chief counsel for the L. Louise Lucas Legal Defense Fund, said Thursday.

In a statement posted to social media Thursday, Lucas did not directly address the allegations but accused federal authorities of trying to silence her.

“Today, the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the full weight of the federal government have been wielded against an 82-year-old great-grandmother,” Lucas said. “I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down.”

CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth said the indictment also raises questions about what happens to Lucas' considerable influence in Richmond.

Watch: What impact will Louise Lucas arrest have on Virginia politics?

“At the moment she has just complete control over that Senate Finance Committee,” Holsworth said. “There are very few people who are willing to buck her on either party. Does that change at all with this indictment?”

The charges were announced less than two weeks before Virginia voters head to the polls, although Lucas herself is not on the ballot.

Holsworth, however, said he doesn't expect the indictment to dramatically change how many Virginians vote.

“My sense is that the election, particularly in the 1st or 2nd District, is by and large a done deal in terms of how people are voting,” Holsworth said. “I don't think there are a lot of people out there not knowing how they're going to vote right now and are going to change their mind one way or another because of this indictment.”

The longer-term political consequences for Lucas could be more significant.

“She's certainly going to try to keep her seat in the assembly. She's going to be as outspoken as ever,” Holsworth said. “But at the same time this is a big issue, and she's going to have to pay a lot of attention because there's a lot of powerful forces arrayed against her who really want to try to make sure that this indictment sticks.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story, so check back with WTVR.com for updates. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have info, photos or videos to share.