Western District of Virginia

Shakeem Malik Hunt, 28, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to one count of distributing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Hunt distributed over 200 grams of methamphetamine to a single individual on January 6, 2022. Recently, Hunt had previously distributed over 500 grams of methamphetamine and 60 grams of cocaine to this same individual.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA), the Virginia State Police, the Roanoke City and County Police Departments, and the City of Salem Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Coleman Adams prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A California-based trio pled guilty last week to running a cross-country drug trafficking conspiracy that supplied fentanyl linked to teenage overdoses in Wise County, Virginia.

Alexander Ortiz, 25, of Fullerton, California, Destiny Raeann Perez, 23, of Turlock, California, and Jorge Efrain Perez Jr., 24, of Santa Ana, California, each pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Ortiz also pled guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Ortiz faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Jorge Perez and Destiny Perez each face a minimum of 10 years in prison. 

According to court documents, at the time of Mr. Ortiz’s arrest on June 20, 2022, he was found in possession of both a FNH pistol and a Glock, Model 45 9mm pistol, as well as over $10,000 cash, fentanyl patches and thousands of Alprazolam pills and other controlled substances, digital scales, and drug packaging items.  A search warrant executed at Ortiz and Destiny Perez’s residence in Los Banos, California resulted in the recovery of over 6,000 pressed pills containing fentanyl, approximately $60,000 cash, and 13 firearms.

The investigation revealed that between November 1, 2020, and June 20, 2022, the trio packaged and sold tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills to buyers throughout the country, including sales to co-conspirator Paul Mason Perkins and others in Southwest Virginia.  Using the social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram, Perkins ordered 1,000 pills every few weeks from Ortiz, who had the pills mailed to Perkins at his residence in Big Stone Gap. From there, Perkins sold the pills to individuals in Wise County, some of which were linked to two teenage overdoses that occurred in November 2021. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Charlies J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case. 

The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Southwest Drug Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated the case, with assistance from the Stanislaus and Orange County, California Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Patterson California Police Department.

Charlottesville, Va.,– A Culpeper, Virginia man, who conspired with others, including his wife, to sell multiple kilograms of methamphetamine as well as thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, was sentenced this week to 9 years in federal prison.

Fahid Rashid, 32, pled guilty in November 2022 to one count of conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

Co-conspirators Akhter Ahmed, 30, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Rashid’s wife, Kahlisah Zuma Khan, 31, both previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges. Khan and Ahmed were sentenced in December 2022 to 45 months and 46 months, respectively.

According to court documents, beginning in at least June 2020 and continuing through April 2021, Rashid, Khan, and Ahmed used multiple addresses in Culpeper, Spotsylvania, Fairfax, and elsewhere for their drug trafficking of kilos of meth and pills laced with deadly fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division, the Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairfax County Police Department, the Arlington County Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.  The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force is comprised of investigative personnel from the Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, and Rappahannock Sheriffs’ Departments as well as the Culpeper and Warrenton Police Departments and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation - Culpeper Field Office.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division announced the sentence today.

Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Cagle Juhan and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rumsey prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A federal grand jury in Abingdon, Virginia has indicted seven individuals as part of a large-scale heroin and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy that brought the drugs from Michigan into Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee for redistribution.

The four-count indictment, returned under seal last week and unsealed today following multiple arrests, charges Robert Earl Warr, 32, of Detroit, Michigan, David Edward Farmer, 56, of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, John Joel Foster, 50, of Lee County, Virginia, Robert Lee Jenkins, 25, of Detroit, Michigan, Ray Anthony McSwain, 28, of Detroit, Michigan, Garrett Lee Teffeteller, 42, of Townsend, Tennessee, and Darin Ken Thomas, 38, of Kodak, Tennessee, as follows:

Warr, Jenkins, Farmer, Foster, and Teffeteller are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. 

Warr, Jenkins, McSwain, Farmer, and Thomas are charged with one count of conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

Farmer and Thomas are each charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, the co-conspirators operated in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee from approximately September 2021 through September of 2022.  During that time, Warr, Jenkins, and McSwain traveled from Michigan to Tennessee to secure large quantities of heroin and crystal methamphetamine for local suppliers to sell throughout Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and ATF Washington Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon announced the arrests.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, the Knoxville, Tennessee Police Department, the Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, the Sevier County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, and the Lee County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher is prosecuting the case for the United States.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ROANOKE, Va. – The former CEO of the FedStar Federal Credit Union, which operated branches in both Roanoke and Salem, Virginia, pled guilty last week in federal court to charges related to her use of credit union funds for personal purchases from 2018 and 2020.

Kelly Givens, 37, of Salem, Virginia, waived her right to be indicted and pled guilty last week to a one-count Information charging her with misapplication of credit union funds in excess of $1,000.

According to court documents, Givens was the CEO of FedStar beginning in 2016. Between 2018 and 2020 she used the FedStar credit card and FedStar business Amazon account for personal purchases totaling more than $12,000. Givens purchased running shoes, hiking shoes, tickets for sporting events, and electronic devices, among other personal purchases.

As part of an effort to conceal her theft, Givens provided false information to FedStar’s Board of Directors and the National Credit Union Administration.

At sentencing, Givens faces a maximum, statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond Division, Stanley M. Meador made the announcement today.

The investigation of the case was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, and the National Credit Union Administration – Office of the Inspector General.   

Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin B. Johnson and Michael Baudinet are prosecuting the case for the United States.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia, man, was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute crystal ice methamphetamine and for illegal possession of a firearm. 

William Everett Himes, 38, was convicted after pleading guilty in June 2021 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crystal ice methamphetamine as well as one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, the charges stem from a Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office traffic stop in January 2020, where Himes fled from police and was later found to be in possession of crystal ice methamphetamine. A loaded .45 caliber firearm and more crystal ice methamphetamine were recovered from the front passenger seat of Himes’ vehicle. At the time of Himes’ arrest, he was prohibited from possession of a firearm due to prior felony drug and violent crime convictions, including two 2012 felony convictions in Bristol, Virginia related to methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division, made the announcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. 

Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case for the United States.  

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The North Carolina source of supply, who conspired with dozens of others to distribute narcotics into Lynchburg and the greater Central Virginia region, was sentenced earlier this week to 27.5 years in federal prison.

Jermel Lawrence Storey, 45, a former Lynchburg resident who most recently resided in Charlotte, North Carolina, pled guilty in July 2022 to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute and distributing cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute and distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm (a short-barreled rifle) in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Storey was held responsible for distributing more than 150 kilograms of cocaine into the Lynchburg area, a quantity valued at more than $4.5 million.

“Dismantling this massive narcotics conspiracy makes a significant impact on the entire Central Virginia area,” said United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh. “In collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, my Office continues its unyielding pursuit of criminals who traffic in drugs and guns and threaten the safety and security of our communities.” 

“This sentencing should send a clear message to those who prey on our community that their actions will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema. “We know there is a clear connection between drug activity and violent crime, and this sentencing reinforces our community’s unwillingness to tolerate either.  The Lynchburg Police Department recognizes that this outcome would not have been possible without the assistance of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.”

ATF Washington Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon said, “Combating violent gun crime and narcotics distribution within our communities is something we do every day, and we take this mission very seriously. We will continue to collaborate with our partners as we disrupt the illegal use and possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics and other violent acts within our community ensuring criminals are held accountable.”

“DEA’s top priority is investigating and dismantling drug trafficking organizations and its members like Mr. Storey, who are responsible for distributing dangerous and deadly firearms and drugs such as cocaine, meth, heroin, and fentanyl into our neighborhoods,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Division. “While they are turning a profit, people and their families are tormented by violence and the consequences of drug use and addiction. We will continue working with our federal, local and state partners to disrupt and reduce violent, drug-related crime, to effectively hold these violent offenders accountable and give our communities the safety they deserve.”

According to court documents, between January 2016 and January 2021, Storey led and organized a widespread drug trafficking organization that imported large quantities of cocaine into the Lynchburg, Virginia area from Houston, Texas through Charlotte, North Carolina. Even after moving to Charlotte, Storey continued his drug-dealing conspiracy by directing his co-conspirators to meet him in Charlotte to collect the drugs and then to return to Lynchburg for sales throughout Central Virginia. Storey possessed and used multiple firearms for protection and intimidation and made threats of violence to further his criminal enterprise, including using firearms on video calls and when people visited him in person in order to intimidate them. Additionally, when his co-conspirators did not comply with his demands, Storey threatened to harm them as well as their family members.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lynchburg Police Department, the Virginia State Police’s Central Virginia Drug and Gang Task Force, and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Welsh and Ronald M. Huber prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .

Harrisonburg, Va.– A West Virginia man, who sold a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced pain pills, was sentenced this week to 11 years in federal prison.

Gregory Allen Sirk, 48, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pled guilty in May 2022 to knowingly distributing acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl.

“Throughout the Western District of Virginia, we have seen record numbers of drug poisoning deaths - many as a result of adulterated pills,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “We will continue to work with our partners both in the law enforcement community and the recovery community to prosecute the most serious offenders and provide treatment for those fighting substance abuse disorder.”

According to court documents, Sirk was a well-known drug dealer who routinely obtained heroin and pain pills from Baltimore for resale in the Winchester, Virginia area. In February 2019, Sirk sold two foil packets of heroin to a family member and her boyfriend. Both individuals ingested the drugs, watched a movie, and went to bed.

However, the following morning, the victim was not breathing. Law enforcement and emergency medical services were called to the home but he was pronounced dead and it was later determined he died from accidental acute combined fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl poisoning.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, which is comprised of the Winchester Police Department, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Front Royal Police Department, the Page County Sheriff’s Office, the Strasburg Police Department, and the Virginia State Police, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

Charlottesville, Va.- United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh announced today that the Western District of Virginia collected $36,913,638 in criminal, civil and joint actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $7,628,635 was collected in criminal actions in the Western District and $8,933,648 was collected in local civil actions. 

Additionally, the Western District of Virginia worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $20,351,355 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.      

“The Western District of Virginia’s substantial recoveries last year demonstrate our serious commitment to seeking restitution for the victims of crime and forfeiting the assets of those who profit from criminal activity,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today. “In the next year, we expect that this number will grow as we continue to hold defendants – both individuals and corporations – accountable for their crimes.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Virginia, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $22,168,509 in asset forfeiture actions in fiscal year 2022. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A federal grand jury in Charlottesville, Virginia has indicted a former attorney and Army Officer assigned to the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAG School) in Charlottesville on multiple counts of cyberstalking, witness tampering, and lying to multiple federal agencies.

The eight-count indictment, returned today, charges Manfredo Madrigal, 36, a former resident of Charlottesville, with four counts of lying to multiple federal agencies, one count of witness tampering and one count  of attempted witness tampering, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of deletion of Army materials.

Madrigal was an active duty Army Officer and attorney when he was assigned to the JAG School in early 2022. He previously served multiple overseas tours of duty as an enlisted soldier with various units, including the 75th Ranger Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division. In late February 2022, Madrigal was discharged from the Army and JAG School for failing to report a previous conviction for driving under the influence (DUI).

He was arrested on a criminal complaint in August 2022.

The indictment alleges that in the overnight hours between February 6 and 7, 2022, and while his Army discharge was pending, Madrigal deleted, without authorization, online JAG training materials. Madrigal filmed himself doing so and narrated his motivations.  In the video, Madrigal stated, “I’m gonna fu** you,” and “I’m going to bring their house down on them.” The same evening, Madrigal contacted Victim 1 and informed her that Russia reached out to him, wanted to know what he knew, and that he intended to travel to Russia.  Madrigal’s cellphone records indicate he contacted the Russian embassy.

On February 22, 2022, Madrigal was discharged from the JAG School and claimed in out-processing paperwork that he had no unreported contact with a foreign national, which was contrary to Madrigal’s phone records and statements to Victim 1.

In April and May 2022, Madrigal was interviewed by the FBI about his actions.  In these interviews, Madrigal made multiple false statements regarding his foreign contact and the deletion of the training materials.  For example, Madrigal claimed he learned of the deletion from a coworker but denied any involvement.  Per text messages, however, Madrigal filmed his efforts to delete the module and claimed credit.

During the FBI’s investigation, agents discovered that Madrigal had been threatening Victim 1, a former romantic partner, both in-person and via electronic means. Between late 2021 and mid-2022, Madrigal sent Victim 1 messages threatening her safety, career, family, and pet. These messages contained compromising and sexually explicit photos of Victim 1. Victim 1 also expressed being “terrified” of Madrigal and stated he threatened her, in-person, using a firearm at her residence and damaged her belongings. 

As the FBI’s investigation progressed, agents also uncovered evidence Madrigal pressured another former romantic partner, Victim 2, to provide false information to the FBI about Madrigal. Victim 2 admitted to agents that Madrigal coached her prior to her FBI interview, and they discussed deleting incriminating text messages from his cellphone. 

On August 9, 2022, Madrigal and Victim 2 were involved in a dispute in Harrison, Arkansas and Madrigal pointed a pistol at Victim 2’s head.  Madrigal was arrested by local authorities in Arkansas and later transferred to Virginia to face federal charges for his conduct involving Victim 1.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Army are investigating the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Katie Burroughs Medearis and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Joyce are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh has appointed Assistant United States Attorney Michael Baudinet to serve as Environmental Justice Coordinator for the Western District of Virginia.

Assistant United States Attorney Baudinet has investigated and prosecuted multiple environmental cases, and as the District’s Environmental Justice Coordinator, AUSA Baudinet will continue to lead efforts to enforce our Nation’s environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and various hazardous waste laws. In addition, the Environmental Justice Coordinator will work to focus on investigating and prosecuting environmental violations that have disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and other marginalized communities, including pursuing actions under the civil rights laws, worker safety and consumer protection statutes, and the False Claims Act.

Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully tried and convicted an individual for stealing timber from the Army Corps of Engineers Bluestone Project and selling it for financial gain. Another individual had previously pled guilty in connection with the same scheme.

“Our District is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor landscapes in the country and protecting these valuable natural resources is a priority for our Office,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today.  “The addition of an Environmental Justice Coordinator strengthens this Office’s longstanding commitment to prosecuting environmental crimes in order to ensure clean air, water, and land for our District’s residents.”

The Western District of Virginia is home to the Blue Ridge Environmental Crimes Task Force, the United States’ longest running environmental crimes task force. It comprises local, state, and federal criminal investigators, emergency responders, prosecutors, civil enforcement personnel, health department personnel, technical personnel, and individuals associated with critical utilities.    

The public can report suspected violations of environmental and hazardous waste laws to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling (540) 857-2250 or by contacting the Environmental Protection Agency.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -  A trio of Charlottesville men, who threatened both an Albemarle County woman and a Charlottesville man at gunpoint in August 2021, were sentenced yesterday to federal prison terms.

Markel Corevis Morton, 43, Adrian Anderson, 40, and Quincy Brock, 27, all pled guilty in September 2022 to participating in a pair of armed robberies, and Morton and Brock also pled guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

On Monday, in federal district court in Charlottesville, Morton was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison. Brock was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and Anderson received a sentence of 24 months.

A fourth defendant, Corey Ramont Kinney, 48, previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and will be sentenced at a later date.

In August 2021, Morton recruited Brock, Anderson, and Kinney to rob a local drug dealer with the promise of splitting $50,000 in cash he believed to be hidden in an apartment in Albemarle County. While Morton waited offsite, Brock, Anderson, and Kinney forced entry into the apartment and held a female victim at gunpoint as they searched the apartment and the female victim’s car.  While not finding the $50,000 in cash, the trio of robbers nevertheless took the female victim’s phone and other personal items.

When they returned empty-handed, Morton insisted they locate the drug dealer’s cash at a second location on Prospect Avenue in the City of Charlottesville that same night.  Armed with pistols, all four men drove to the second location and stole a safe containing approximately $50,000 as well as another victim’s purse.  As they were leaving the apartment, Brock and Morton were intercepted by a man who was standing outside and one of them pointed their handgun at him as they fled the scene. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond Division Stanley M. Meador, and Col. Sean Reeves, Chief of the Albemarle County Police Department announced the sentences.

The Albemarle County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Carlton and Ronald M. Huber prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

ROANOKE, Va.– A Roanoke, Virginia man who trafficked at least 25 firearms from Virginia, at least nine of which were later tied to criminal activities in other states, was sentenced yesterday to seven years in federal prison.

Jermaine Drummond, 46, pled guilty in August 2022 to two counts of knowingly making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and aiding and abetting in the same.

“Illegal guns in the hands of prohibited owners lead to higher levels of violent crime in our neighborhoods. It is a cornerstone of the Department of Justice’s public safety policy to keep these guns out of the hands of those who should not have them,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “My Office will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals who threaten the safety of our communities by circumventing the law to supply firearms to violent criminals.” 

“We will continue to utilize intelligence-driven approaches to eradicate the supply of crime guns to violent offenders,” said ATF Washington Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “We will remain on the frontlines alongside our law enforcement partners in the fight to disrupt and dismantle the illegal possession of firearms, which continue to plague our communities with violence.”

According to court documents, beginning in 2019 and continuing until June 2020, Drummond, a convicted felon, used non-prohibited individuals to purchase at least 25 firearms for him. Some of those purchases were made from federally licensed firearms dealers, while others were acquired through private transactions. At least nine of these illegally-procured firearms have been recovered in connection with criminal activity in Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Utah man, who communicated via the instant messaging application Kik with an undercover employee working for the I-81 Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Child Task Force, pled guilty today to a pair of federal crimes.

Brent Walter Murie, 67, pled guilty today to two counts of distribution of child pornography. Each count calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and requires Murie to register as a convicted sex offender upon his release from prison as well as pay restitution to his victims.

“Our children’s world is online more than ever before and we, as a law enforcement community, must rise to the challenge of keeping them from becoming victims of sexual abusers,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “My Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable among us, our children, from sexual exploitation. I am thankful to the FBI and all those who worked to bring this matter to justice.”

“Brent Walter Murie admitted today to sexually exploiting children by distributing and exchanging their images online,” said FBI Richmond Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador. “I want to thank the I-81 Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Child Task Force and our partners for their work on this case. We will never stop fighting to protect children and making sure their abusers are held accountable.”

According to court documents, an online covert employee (OCE) used a social media account on Kik to target individuals engaged in child exploitation activities. The OCE setup an account posing as an adult who had access to a 9-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.

On September 9, 2021, an account linked to Murie began messaging the OCE account through a public chat room about incestuous family relationships. The chat between the two lasted from September 2021 through March 2022.

Topics of their conversations ranged from work, family, used cars, and the weather. However, Murie constantly returned the conversation back to ways the OCE could molest his fictional 9-year-old daughter. Murie repeatedly provided the OCE instructions on grooming and molestation, such as drugging the daughter or lowering her inhibitions by showing her child pornography.

In addition, Murie offered tips on how to conceal sexual abuse, such as using tickle fights as an excuse to sexually abuse a minor child.

During the conversations, Murie also spontaneously sent the OCE child pornography, including videos of infants and prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity with adults.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was part of an undercover operation by the I-81 Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children Task Force (I-81 HTTF).  The I-81 HTTF is a collaborative effort of law enforcement and community partners focused on identifying instances of human trafficking along the I-81 corridor in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, prosecuting those responsible, and providing assistance to the victims impacted by these crimes.  The I-81 HTTF includes law enforcement officers from the counties of Frederick, Clarke, and Shenandoah as well as the cities and towns of Front Royal, Hagerstown, and Frederick, Maryland, and Lord Fairfax Community College. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Carlton is prosecuting the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A former California man, who recently relocated to Meadowview, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in federal prison for his participation in a cross-country drug conspiracy that brought hundreds of pounds of crystal ice methamphetamine into the Southwest Virginia region.

Guy Benjamin Bowman, 57, was convicted following a jury trial in July 2022 of one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distributing 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine as well as one count of distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.   

According to evidence presented at trial, Bowman and Sally Mae Carr, 42, also of Meadowview operated their methamphetamine trafficking operation in Washington County, Virginia from January 2021 through April 2022 and conspired with Bowman’s sources in Chino Hills, California, to bring approximately 200 pounds of crystal methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia for redistribution.  At the time of their arrests, over two pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a purity of over 98% and an estimated street value of $42,000, as well as over $7,000 in currency, were seized. 

In October 2022, Carr was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Holston River Regional Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Virginia State Police, and task force officers from both the Lebanon Police Department and Smyth County Sheriff’s Office. 

Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case for the United States.  

ABINGDON, Va. – A Southwest Virginia man, who conspired with others to sell methamphetamine in Tazewell and Russell Counties and possessed firearms, explosives, and destructive devices, was sentenced last week to 17 and one-half years in federal prison.

Steven Cantrell, 28, pled guilty in June 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of explosives after having been convicted of a felony and while being an unlawful drug user, and one count of possessing unregistered destructive devices.

In September 2022, co-conspirator Amanda Skeens was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and Josh Goodman received a 9-year sentence. In August 2022, two other members of the conspiracy, Zachary Justice and Ronda Rose, were sentenced to 14 years and 7.5 years, respectively.

During 2019 and 2020, Justice and Cantrell sold methamphetamine out of an apartment they shared in Swords Creek, Virginia.  In addition, Justice also traded firearms to Cantrell in return for methamphetamine for resale.

As part of the conspiracy, Skeens supplied methamphetamine several times a week from her home in West Virginia to other conspiracy members, who then brought the dangerous drugs into Russell and Tazewell Counties for further distribution, bringing anywhere from two ounces to over one pound per trip.

Three destructive devices, seven blasting caps, fourteen firearms, and over 2,500 rounds of ammunition were recovered from Cantrell’s residence pursuant to search warrants.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement.

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office, the Mercer County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, the Southern West Virginia Drug Task Force, the Tazewell County Drug Task Force, the Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A man and woman, who were caught with a large amount of methamphetamine in an outbuilding in Bristol, Virginia by the Virginia State Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, were sentenced this week on federal drug charges.

Crystal Younce, 42, was sentenced Tuesday to 130 months in federal prison.

Donald Smith, 51, was sentenced Wednesday to 120 months in federal prison.

Both Younce and Smith pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on September 23, 2021, law enforcement officers from the Virginia State Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Smith’s home to execute a state warrant and discovered Smith and Younce in an outdoor shed on the property with various plastic bags containing substances the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) lab later identified as 99–100% pure methamphetamine. Altogether, Smith and Younce had nearly 300 grams of methamphetamine along with packaging materials, a digital scale, and multiple other controlled substances.  In addition, law enforcement seized over $8,000 in cash.     

Law enforcement also recovered text messages from both Younce and Smith, including one message where Younce referred to herself as a “one-stop shop” for narcotics. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The Virginia State Police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit D. Pierce and Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Lynchburg, Virginia man, who a federal jury convicted in March 2022 of distributing large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison.

Quentin Lowell Horsley, 38, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 100 grams or more of heroin. Additionally, the defendant was convicted of four counts of distribution of cocaine.

According to evidence presented at trial, Horsley led a drug trafficking conspiracy where he was responsible for supplying and facilitating the distribution of substantial quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana by managing a network of more than 17 drug dealers throughout the Lynchburg regional area.

The investigation culminated when the Lynchburg Police Department executed search warrants at residences used by Horsley and his co-conspirators and found nearly two kilograms of cocaine, nearly a kilogram of heroin, and more than three kilograms of methamphetamine. These narcotics had a street value of more than $1 million.

Horsley’s reach and influence over the Lynchburg region’s drug network was so vast that one co-conspirator wrote in a text, “when you wait, you make the whole city wait.”

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division, and Chief Ryan M. Zuidema of the Lynchburg Police Department made the announcement.

The Lynchburg Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Welsh prosecuted the case.

Abingdon, Va. – A defendant in a drug distribution organization that trafficked methamphetamine from Texas and Indiana into Southwest Virginia was recently sentenced in federal court on drug conspiracy charges, United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced.

Pedro Loza III, 28, of Bullhead City, Arizona, was sentenced this week to 72 months in federal prison.  He was previously convicted of one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

In all, five individuals were charged as being part of this drug trafficking conspiracy, four of whom have now been sentenced for their roles in the scheme. Paul Warren Rucker previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison in July 2022. Defendants Amber Lynn Tackett and Benjamin Alvis entered guilty pleas and are scheduled for sentencing in April 2023.  The lead defendant, Alonso Cantu-Cantu, is scheduled for trial in March 2023. 

This case arose from a series of indictments stemming from an ongoing methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy operating primarily in the Smyth County, Virginia area. In total, 26 defendants have been charged in connection with the investigation.

This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bristol, Virginia Office with assistance from the Smyth County Virginia Sheriff’s Office.  Numerous other agencies also provided assistance throughout the investigation including the Drug Enforcement Administration in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Birmingham, Alabama, the Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Abingdon, Virginia Police Department, the Rockingham County Virginia RUSH Drug Task Force, the Rockingham County Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Harrisonburg, Virginia Police Department, the Bessemer, Alabama Police Department, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Unit, and the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority. 

Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case for the United States. 

DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville man, who along with his uncle distributed narcotics in the greater Danville-area, was sentenced last week to 156 months in federal prison.

Kunta Daniels, 43, pled guilty in October 2021 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

In October 2021, Kunta Daniels’ uncle, Joe Ali Daniels, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for distributing cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, between November 2019 and March 2020, Kunta Daniels lived at the Colonial Court apartments in Danville while also renting a second apartment in the complex on the floor above his residence as a “stash house” for the sole purpose of storing drugs for later distribution.

Law enforcement conducted a search of the stash house in March 2020 and found food saver bags, digital scales, heroin, cocaine, cutting agents, multiple firearms, body armor, and approximately $10,000 in cash.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Danville Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Barish Swartz and Coleman Adams prosecuted the case for the United States.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Charlottesville Joseph D. Platania, and Commonwealth Attorney for Albemarle County James M. Hingeley released the following statement:

“Today, we join the University of Virginia, City of Charlottesville, and Albemarle County communities in mourning the lives of three innocent members of our community lost during a shooting Sunday night on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Albemarle County, and we also hope for a full recovery for the two victims who were wounded.   

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices for the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle are actively working with local, state, and federal law enforcement in their efforts to thoroughly investigate this tragic incident and we will bring any potential charges in the appropriate jurisdiction.”

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Harrisonburg, Virginia man, who used a BB gun to rob First Citizen Bank on University Boulevard in Harrisonburg on January 4, 2022, was sentenced yesterday to 105 months in federal prison.

Charles Joseph Hood, 63, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of armed bank robbery.

According to court documents, on January 4, 2022, Hood walked into the bank wearing a dark mask, sunglasses, hat, wig, and brown work boots and initially inquired about opening an account with the manager of the bank. Once inside the manager’s office, Hood brandished what appeared to be a firearm, but was later found to be a Daisy Powerline 426 .177 caliber BB gun and instructed the manager to walk over to the tellers’ station.  Hood then demanded that the manager put on a gray glove and retrieve large bills only, no dye packs, and not to trigger the bank’s alarm system.  The manager and two tellers separately collected $15,908 in cash and placed it in a makeshift bag provided by Hood while one of the tellers pressed the bank’s silent alarm system alerting law enforcement.

Hood exited the bank, got onto a bicycle, and fled the scene. Approximately a half-mile away, Hood discarded the bike, wig, and his outer jacket, and walked into a restaurant where he entered the bathroom and lifted an oil painting off the wall. After placing the BB gun behind the painting where it was out of view and undetectable, Hood walked to the nearby Walmart Supercenter and bought a pair of shoes.  He then discarded his work boots and attempted to call a taxi.

Meanwhile, the Harrisonburg Police Department had responded to the silent alarm and were in the area searching for individuals who matched Hood’s description. An officer, seeing Hood outside the Walmart, approached him, but Hood began to walk away from the officer, telling him that his wife was in labor before eventually running away from the officer.

When officers caught up to him, they found the makeshift bag stuffed into Hood’s pants that contained $15,606 in cash and a gray glove that matched the one left with the bank manager.

United States Attorney  Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Harrisonburg Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Welsh and Jordan E. McKay prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Pound, Virginia man, who conspired with at least 37 others to steal pandemic unemployment benefits, was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $18,160 in restitution.

Danny L. Mullins, 50, was convicted following a two-day jury trial in August 2022 of conspiracy to defraud the United States, fraud in connection with federal emergency benefits, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mullins received more than $18,000 in fraudulent benefits by conspiring with others, including his sister, Veronica Mullins, and conspiracy leaders Danielle Chytka, Greg Tackett, and Jeffrey Tackett, to input his personally identifiable information to the Virginia Employment Commission in order to receive pandemic unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled. 

In all, the conspiracy involved submitting fraudulent claims for approximately 37 individuals, including multiple inmates incarcerated in southwest Virginia regional jails, all of whom were not eligible to receive pandemic unemployment benefits, and causing at least $499,000 in false claims to be paid. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Darrell J. Waldon of the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

The Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation - Washington, D.C. Field Office, and the Norton Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Murphy and Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Abdallah Amer Ali, 21, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 13 years in federal prison after selling a fatal dose of fentanyl to a 16-year-old in Harrisonburg.

Ali pleaded guilty in June 2022 to one count of distributing a measurable quantity of fentanyl.

“In 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from drug poisonings, with nearly three-fourths of those deaths involving opioids, and we are on pace to surpass that this year,” said United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh. “Our country is in the midst of a staggering crisis and we must approach it comprehensively by prosecuting those who poison our communities and providing support and services to those fighting drug addiction disorder.  Fighting this epidemic from both ends is the only way forward.”

“Many of the people who died from fentanyl had no idea they even took it. The drug cartels are using social media to relentlessly expand their business and deceptively sell fake pills directly to young people,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division. “We will not stand for criminals such as this, who are duping our youth and fueling the overdose crisis in our area. This case is an example of how the DEA and our law enforcement partners are working to put an end to such unscrupulous criminal behavior and keep our communities safe.”

According to court documents, in October 2019, using the messaging app SnapChat, Ali arranged to sell what the teenage victim believed were Percocet pills, also known as “percs.”  Although he advised the teenager to not ingest all of them at once, Ali stopped short of letting him know that the pills also contained the lethal opioid, fentanyl. Unaware that his pills were fentanyl-laced, the teenager ingested the pills, overdosed, and died early the next morning.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division, Jarod Forget, announced the sentence today.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bassford and Jonathan Jones prosecuted the case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Harrisonburg Police Department, and the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – An Albemarle County man pled guilty yesterday to breaking into a private home while armed in October 2021.

Traevon Gray, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. At sentencing, Gray faces up to 20 years in prison.

“The Department of Justice prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of violent crime, especially those involving firearms,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today.  “My Office will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to reduce violent crime in our communities and make the Western District of Virginia safer for all residents.”

“Violent crime instills fear by threatening the safety and security of our communities. As such, the FBI Richmond Safe Streets Task Force worked with local and federal partners to identify and hold the defendants accountable for their actions. Violent crime will not be tolerated in any form. We will continue to take steps to identify those persons who choose to threaten our communities and encourage anyone who has knowledge of such acts to contact authorities,” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI Richmond Division.

“The Albemarle County Police Department remains committed to collaborating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, like the United State Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This commitment to cooperation is vital to keeping the citizens, residents, and visitors of Albemarle County safe,” said Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Police for Albemarle County.

According to court documents, on the morning of October 27, 2021, Gray and co-defendant Damon Williams broke into the victim’s Albemarle County home through a backdoor. While both Gray and Williams were armed with firearms, they forced the victim from his upstairs bedroom into the kitchen where they ordered him to lie face down on the floor.

After stealing various items, Gray bound the victim’s hands with tape, punched him in the face, and pushed him into the kitchen pantry. The men stole two pounds of marijuana, several thousand dollars, a firearm, and other drug paraphernalia.

After the robbery, Gray and Williams fled to Spartanburg, South Carolina where they divided up the robbery proceeds.

Williams is scheduled to plead guilty to similar charges next week in federal court.

The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Albemarle County Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Carlton is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia woman, who used the personal identifying information of others to submit and receive fraudulent student loans, pled guilty this week in federal court.

Karren Warren, 43, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to one count of student loan fraud and one count of unlawful transfer or possession of identification affecting interstate commerce.

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2018, Warren devised a scheme to defraud the United States Department of Education (USDOE), the American Public University System (APUS) and Capella University by preparing and submitting false FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms.

Warren admitted to recruiting others to provide her with their personal identifying information, which she then used to prepare and submit fraudulent enrollment applications to USDOE, APUS, and Capella.

Once the financial aid was obtained, Warren enrolled the individuals, whose names had been submitted using the false FAFSAs, in online educational institutions. Most individuals enrolled in this manner either did not participate or withdrew from the courses. Warren then converted the federal financial aid funds for her personal use, thus failing to use the funds solely for education-related expenses as required by USDOE.

In all, Warren caused a loss of at least $264,000 to APUS, Capella, and the USDOE.

Warren faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The United States Department of Education and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene R. Day is prosecuting the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A North Carolina man, who used the social media platforms Snapchat and Grindr to exploit teenage boys from Southwest Virginia, was sentenced last week to 151 months in federal prison on federal enticement charges.

Jonathan Avery Shumate, 54, of Warrensville, N.C., pleaded guilty in March 2022 to one count of coercion and enticement of minors.

According to court documents, Shumate used both Snapchat and Grindr to contact teenage males attending Oak Hill Academy in Grayson County, Virginia, and offered to provide vapes and vaping materials in exchange for the sixteen- and seventeen-year-old boys sending him sexually explicit photographs and nude videos of themselves.  In addition to communicating online, Shumate traveled to Oak Hill Academy to deliver the vaping supplies, and also offered to provide oral sex for the juveniles while requesting that they perform oral sex on him.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va.- Michael Donivan White, 34, was arrested today and federally charged in relation to the murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler in November 2021. Eighteen others were also charged today on related, wide-ranging federal drug conspiracy and firearm charges.

Charged today were:

1. Christopher Adam Dewayne Bates, of Appalachia, Virginia
2. Amanda Nicole Blanton, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
3. Charles Ryan Bowman, of Duffield, Virginia
4. Elicia Amber Burns, of Evarts, Kentucky
5. Brian Gregory Carroll, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
6. Keri Leann Corbin, of Jonesville, Virginia
7. Hailee Michelle Dietz, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
8. Anthony Curtis Steven Holmes, of Duffield, Virginia
9. Paul Thomas Jones, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
10. Timothy Ray Jones, of Duffield, Virginia
11. James Brian Mullins, of Abingdon, Virginia
12. Justine Dwayne (“Doughboy”) Skaggs, of Duffield, Virginia
13. Lucille Renee (“Lucy”) Vanover, of Duffield, Virginia
14. Misty Lynn Ward, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
15. Kacie Lynn Werner, of Duffield, Virginia
16. Tiny Lue (“Tina”) Westmoreland, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
17. Tyler Lee Westmoreland, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
18. Michael Donivan White, 34, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
19. James Ray Worley, of Appalachia, Virginia

“Today’s arrests have brought into custody the alleged murderer of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler and disrupted a large-scale drug-trafficking organization responsible for bringing more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia,” said United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh today. “My Office continues its commitment to seek justice for those affected by the senseless violence that all-too-often accompanies the narcotics trade and once again has endangered the peace and stability of Southwest Virginia.”

“Today’s arrests broke up a large-scale drug operation that brought huge quantities of lethal narcotics and, subsequently, violence and tragedy, into Southwest Virginia,” said Attorney General Jason S. Miyares. “The murder of Officer Chandler shook all of Virginia and is a painful reminder of the risk law enforcement willingly embrace every day. As my office supports the prosecution in that case, we are proud of all our partners, particularly the U.S. Attorney’s office and the lead law enforcement agencies, the Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and their unwavering commitment to justice.”

“The outcome of this case is the result of the excellent work by the investigators who took part in this investigation. Thanks to their tireless efforts there are several violent criminals off our streets. We at ATF work hard to keep our communities safe from people who endanger our neighborhoods,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “We will continue to work collaboratively with all our partners to combat violent crimes in an effort to maintain public safety.”

According to court documents, beginning in August 2021 and continuing until the present, the 19 defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as heroin and fentanyl.

Tragically, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 13, 2021, Officer Michael Chandler responded to a welfare check call at 2505 Orr Street in Big Stone Gap. This address, known locally as “the red house,” was well-known to police and often the subject of calls for service for civil disturbances, warrant service, welfare checks, overdoses, complaints of assaults, and drug-related activities.

Upon arriving at the Orr Street address, Officer Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence and was immediately shot. He died later that evening from his injuries.

Following the shooting, law enforcement identified Michael Donivan White as a suspect. White was later located at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee and a subsequent search of the motel room revealed a Taurus, 9mm pistol. Further testing ultimately proved this firearm to be the same one that fired the shots that killed Officer Chandler.

The investigation of this case is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Norton Virginia Police Department, the Kingsport Tennessee Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the East Tennessee Drug Task Force, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Virginia State Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, City of Norton Police Department, and Big Stone Gap Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh  will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lena Busscher in the Abingdon Division, Michael Baudinet in the Roanoke Division, and Ronald M. Huber in the Charlottesville Division have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Western District of Virginia.  In that capacity they are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to threats of violence.  The Department of Justice continues to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said.

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote can exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt the voting system are brought to justice,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said. “To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns during the upcoming election, we must ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities.”

AUSA/DEOs Busscher, Baudinet, and Huber will be on duty in this District while the polls are open and may be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 540-857-2250.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The local FBI field office may be reached by the public at 804-261-1044.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws maybe made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .

United States Attorney Kavanaugh added, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who had been acquitted in state court of a May 2019 murder in the City of Roanoke after claiming self-defense, was sentenced  yesterday to 12 years in prison on a federal gun charge.

Demarcus Shaiquan Glenn, 23, pled guilty in July 2022 to one count of possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, a 16-year-old male contacted Glenn through a friend on May 31, 2019, in order to purchase two ounces of marijuana.  Glenn agreed to sell the teenager the marijuana for $300 and was to meet him at a Denniston Avenue residence to conduct the transaction.   In the course of that transaction, Glenn produced a firearm and shot and killed the teenager.

Glenn was charged in state court for the shooting but was later acquitted, claiming self-defense.

During his state jury trial, Glenn testified in his own defense. According to Glenn, he carried firearms for protection because he sold drugs and it can be dangerous, and when he arrived at the teenager’s residence, Glenn was carrying a loaded firearm in his right pocket.  Glenn admitted under oath to shooting the teenager in the course of the drug deal.

Federal law prohibits convicted drug dealers from possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI Richmond Division, and Samuel Roman, Chief of Police for the City of Roanoke, made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Roanoke Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Coleman Adams and Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Ruckersville, Virginia man, who dealt heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl even after being incarcerated for his crimes, pled guilty today to dealing a fatal dose of fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm.

Michael Watkins Hayer, 41, waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty today to a two-count Information charging him with distribution of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“Fentanyl is everywhere.  Simply put, it is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.  In Virginia, the number of people dying from drug overdoses is at a record high.   If we want to prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths, we must take every opportunity to educate our communities about how dangerous it is.  Now more than ever, it is critical to hold accountable those who deal fatal doses thereby contributing to fentanyl’s staggering body count,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “I am grateful for the resolve of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, who sought to bring justice to those affected by this tragedy.”

“With this guilty plea, Mr. Hayer has finally accepted responsibility for his actions,” said FBI Richmond Acting Special Agent in Charge David C. Lewis.  “Fentanyl has the potential to kill just by contact and it is far too dangerous to be sold on the street.  We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and help prosecute those who distribute this dangerous substance.”

“We are always glad when a case involving an overdose is brought to justice and those responsible are held accountable,” Greene County Sheriff Steven S. Smith said today. “The Sherriff’s Office will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies and use every available tool to keep the citizens of Greene County safe.”

According to court documents, Hayer began selling fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine throughout both Greene and Albemarle Counties in 2019, as well as routinely traveling to North Carolina to purchase drugs by the “brick” for resale in Virginia.  Hayer used the term “brick” to refer to a package of 50 individual doses of fentanyl.

After a customer overdosed in front of him, Hayer began carrying Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, with him when he sold drugs.

On February 18, 2022, Hayer sold a half-brick of fentanyl to an individual who ingested the drug and later died of an overdose.  Although he left Greene County to avoid suspicion after this death occurred, Hayer was stopped by the Virginia State Police while speeding in Greene County in April 2022.  During the traffic stop, Virginia State Police searched Hayer’s vehicle where they discovered 95 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, three firearms, and multiple rounds of ammunition.  Hayer is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction.

While incarcerated at the Central Virginia Regional Jail from April 2022 through June 2022, Hayer continued to sell drugs by recruiting both a female relative as well as an ex-girlfriend and instructing them in how to engage in drug trafficking.

Specifically, Hayer told them where to go in North Carolina to meet his drug suppliers and where and who to sell drugs to in Greene County.

In addition, Hayer warned both women of the dangerous nature of fentanyl by telling them to not touch the drug without wearing gloves and to never use fentanyl themselves.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith and Sean Welsh are prosecuting the case.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh joins the U.S. Department of Justice, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), advocates, survivors, victim service providers, justice professionals, police and first responders, as well as communities and sovereign tribal nations across the U.S. in observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

Domestic violence is more prevalent than many people realize, and its devastating consequences can span generations and last a lifetime.  Approximately one in four women, and one in seven men, will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes; however, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with disabilities.  DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourages everyone to participate in a role to end gender-based violence.

“Domestic violence affects us all personally in some way,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today.  “Federal prosecutors for the Western District of Virginia have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal, including leveraging our partnerships with local law enforcement, to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”

While most prosecutions for domestic violence are handled by state prosecutors, United States Attorney Kavanaugh highlighted those instances where the Department of Justice may become involved, including cases where there is a cyber component, cases involving the crossing of state lines, and cases involving a firearm.

“Victims of domestic violence deserve the highest level of care, and my Office is dedicated to providing it. Sometimes this may be helping a victim navigate the criminal justice process.  At other times, we work extensively to help survivors rebuild their lives.  These survivors should have every opportunity to heal, and the public servants with the U.S. Attorney’s Office are here to help," United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today.

In addition, the Department of Justice makes available funding streams to non-profits for relocation, safety, and other programs aiding work with domestic violence victims and other services.

To learn more about the Office of Violence Against Women, please visit www.justice.gov.OVM. 

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia woman, who conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine from multiple states into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced this week to 156 months in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy.

Natasha Wallace, 42, pleaded guilty in June 2022 to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crystal methamphetamine.  Court records show that Wallace admitted to personally trafficking more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine from Houston, Texas, and that her illicit distribution activities continued even after her co-conspirators were arrested.  When arrested in May 2021, Wallace was discovered in possession of over 120 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine.

In a related hearing last week, Jason Eric Leab, 44, of Bristol, Virginia, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of substance containing methamphetamine throughout Southwest Virginia.

Wallace and Leab each admitted to conspiring with others, including Joshua Desorcy, Paul Crone, and Marissa Wise, to traffic methamphetamine sourced in Mexico from known Mexican cartel members and shipped through Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas into Southwest Virginia.  As the ringleader of this drug trafficking conspiracy, Desorcy directed the wiring of funds to various recipients in Mexico and has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Murphy prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A former California woman, who recently relocated to Southwest Virginia, was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison on drug distribution charges.

Sally Mae Carr, 42, of Meadowview, Va., formerly of Pomona, Calf., pled guilty in June 2022 to one count of distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. 

According to court documents, law enforcement began an investigation concerning drug trafficking by Carr and her co-defendant, Guy Benjamin Bowman, in early 2021.  The investigation revealed Carr and Bowman trafficked crystal ice methamphetamine from Bowman’s sources in Chino Hills, California into various locations in Southwest Virginia for redistribution.  The organization operated primarily in Washington County from January 2021, through April 2022.  When the defendants were arrested, over two pounds of crystal ice methamphetamine was seized. 

Bowman was convicted following a jury trial in July 2022 and is scheduled for sentencing on November 28, 2022.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement today. 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Holston River Regional Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Virginia State Police, and task force officers from both the Lebanon Police Department and the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office. 

Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer are prosecuting the case for the United States.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A federal grand jury in Charlottesville has indicted Gerald Leonard Drake, 63, from Winchester, Va., for mailing threatening letters, stalking, and planting a pipe bomb at the Cedar Creek Battlefield in Middletown, Virginia during a Civil War reenactment event in 2017.  In the mailings sent to victims and two newspapers, Drake purported to be a member of Antifa and threatened harm, including referencing the Unite the Right riots in Charlottesville.

The indictment, which was unsealed following Drake’s arrest today, charges him with fifteen criminal offenses including: mailing threatening communications, malicious use of explosives, possession of an unregistered destructive device, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, use of explosives to commit a federal felony, and stalking.

“This indictment and arrest mark the culmination of a nearly five-year investigation into the perpetrator of the attempted bombing,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today.  “Over that time, career federal prosecutors and federal agents steadfastly investigated and uncovered the identity of the individual who sought to terrorize innocent civilians in the Western District of Virginia.  In the aftermath of the riots in Charlottesville, and at a time when people sought to heal, this defendant instead sought to sow political discontent and mayhem.  From the local police who secured the scene, to the state police that diffused the bomb, and through to the federal agents who investigated the true identity of the perpetrator, this was truly a quintessential example of law enforcement partnership.”

“The FBI is grateful no one was injured by this explosive device, and no physical harm came to the individuals being threatened.  In our mission to protect the American people, law enforcement will continue to take threats to individuals and public places seriously and will hold those responsible accountable for their actions.  If you suspect a similar crime is about to occur or have information about one that has, please contact the FBI immediately at 804-261-1044 or via tips.FBI.gov,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.

As detailed in the indictment, Drake belonged to a reenactment unit that participated in the annual reenactment at Cedar Creek Battlefield until he was removed from his unit in 2014.  In later years, Drake volunteered with the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (CCBF), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of history related to the Cedar Creek Battlefield and which hosts an annual reenactment attended by merchants, reenactors, and visitors. 

On September 23, 2017, a letter was received at the CCBF visitor center addressed to “Cedar Creek Battlefield people.”  The envelope and its letter both bore a printed Antifa symbol depicting a black flag overlayed atop a red flag inside of a circle.  The letter claimed the reenactment event “clearly celebrates the war to keep African-Americans in chains,” and warned the reenactment organizers that if the event was not cancelled, the trouble they would inflict on Cedar Creek Battlefield would make the riots that took place in Charlottesville in August look like “a Sunday picnic.”

In response to the letter, the CCBF posted a warning on its website that security had been increased and apologized for the inconvenience.

On October 14, 2017, the CCBF hosted the planned 153rd anniversary and reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek.  During the afternoon hours, as the battle was coming to an end, an unexploded pipe bomb was discovered in one of the merchant tents.  The pipe bomb contained metal nuts, a mercury switch, a battery, ball bearings, black and red wires, powder, and other items. 

Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to investigate and seize the explosive device, which was later rendered safe by Virginia State Police.  Due to its discovery, however, all remaining reenactment activities were cancelled, and individuals were evacuated from the area.

Following this incident, Drake continued writing letters purporting to be sent by Antifa, including letters to the CCBF, its board members, an individual associated with Civil War reenactments, and news publications.  During this same time frame, Drake continued to volunteer with the CCBF.

On November 6, 2017, a letter was received by The Gettysburg Times at its offices in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Once again, the letter and envelope both bore Antifa motifs and warned that if the Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade allowed confederate flags or confederate men and women to be in the parade, “we will disrupt the whole weekend.”  The letter also stated that “we have a new person to make our bombs for us since the Cedar Creek one was a dud,”  and “[w]e will also run over people with a couple of trucks and might have a shooter on the rooftop [or elsewhere] along the parade route.”  However, the Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade of 2017 occurred without incident despite these threats.

In 2018, one year after Drake planted the pipe bomb at Cedar Creek Battlefield, he sent another letter to the then-President of the CCBF as well as The Winchester Star, a local newspaper in Winchester, Virginia.  In this letter, Drake warned organizers to “cancel this event or you will regret it!” and discussed the various ways in which a “suspicious package” could be smuggled into the event.

On July 3, 2018, the annual Cedar Creek Battlefield reenactment was cancelled due to security concerns.  In addition, the president of the CCBF resigned due to tensions caused by Drake’s threats.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Middletown Police Department participated in the investigation.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katie Burroughs Medearis, Melanie Smith, and Cagle Juhan are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ROANOKE, Va. – Two more Roanoke men involved in a fatal shooting at an Eastern Avenue drug house in the City of Roanoke pleaded guilty today in federal court for their roles in the shootings and related drug trafficking activity.

Chad Matthew Custer, 23, and Aaron Lee Woods, 28, pled guilty today to one count each of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana as well as one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Darion Mantez Harvey, 24, previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced in May 2022 to 26 years in federal prison.  Custer and Woods face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

“The rise in violent crime we have seen in the Western District of Virginia must be met by an all-hands-on-deck approach to law enforcement. Local, state, and federal agencies are working together to bring to justice those individuals who act with brazen disregard for human life,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “In this gun battle, a young man lost his life, and three others will be changed forever.  Violence is never a solution, and those who choose to engage in violence will be held accountable.”

“We are fully prepared to handle to the challenges that surround combating violent gun crime and narcotics distribution within our communities,” said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson. “We will continue to utilize intelligence led policing methods as we work alongside our law enforcement partners.  This collaboration will continue to aid in dismantling drug trafficking organizations and disrupting the illegal possession of firearms that often plague our neighborhoods.”

“Gun violence is often a companion to drug trafficking, and this is an unfortunate result of that pairing. Nothing can erase the pain that the family and loved ones of this young man feel after his life was taken, but we hope this plea brings some amount of peace and comfort to them,” said Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman. “This investigation was difficult and lengthy, but we are glad we could work with our partners at the state, local, and federal level to achieve this outcome. Violent crime has no place in Roanoke. The members of the Roanoke Police Department are committed to doing all we can to identify those who are perpetrating violent crime in our community and hold them accountable for their actions.”

According to court documents, in October 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a drug trafficking organization involving Woods, Custer, and  Harvey.

During the course of the investigation, authorities learned that Woods, Harvey, Custer, and other co-conspirators used Woods’ apartment on Eastern Avenue as the primary site for their large-scale  distribution of marijuana in the Roanoke Valley from late 2017 through approximately August 2019.  Witnesses told police that customers would stream in and out of the apartment at all hours of the day and night buying marijuana from the defendants, who kept their loaded firearms in plain view. 

In the early evening hours of July 10, 2018, a car containing five individuals arrived at the Eastern Avenue apartment where a gun battle broke out with Harvey, Woods, and Custer on one side and the newly-arrived individuals on the other. While four of the individuals fled on foot, a fifth individual was in a vehicle driving away from the scene when a bullet struck him in the back of the head and killed him.  

Investigators recovered multiple firearms used by Woods, Harvey, and Custer during the shootout, including high-powered, military-style rifles with laser sights as well as multiple handguns and ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Roanoke Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kari K. Munro, Charlene R. Day, and Matthew M. Miller prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  – Three Charlottesville men, who admitted to the attempted armed robbery of an Albemarle County man, were sentenced Tuesday in federal court.

Tyreek Saquan Ragland, 23, the leader of the group who organized the robbery plan, pled guilty to one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison.

Madison Wonne Zelee, 26, and Tyrel Anthony Dowell, 23, also pled guilty to one count each of Hobbs Act robbery as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Zelee was sentenced to 60 months in prison while Dowell received a sentence of 52 months.

According to court documents, Ragland, Zelee, and Dowell targeted the victim because they believed he would be in possession of a large quantity of marijuana and cash at his home in Albemarle County.

On the afternoon of September 30, 2021, Zelee knocked on the intended victim’s front door asking about a lost dog.  Before opening the door, the intended victim saw Dowell emerging from the woods nearby wearing a ski mask.  The intended victim refused to open the door, and Zelee and Dowell then fled the scene in a getaway vehicle driven by Ragland.

Shortly after this confrontation, the intended victim contacted his father about the  incident, and they decided to go in search of the vehicle in which Ragland, Zelee, and Dowell had fled.

While the intended victim and his father were out searching for the getaway vehicle, a witness, who had remained at the intended victim’s residence, called them to report that a pizza delivery person was at the house trying to deliver a pizza.  Aware that no pizza order had been placed, the intended victim instructed the witness not to open the door. 

After immediately returning home, the intended victim observed a vehicle parked along the side of the road near his home that matched the getaway vehicle seen earlier in the day.  Sensing danger, the intended victim and his father decided to leave again, but as they did, Zelee and Dowell came out of the nearby woods and began shooting at them, striking their vehicle.  After the gunfire, Zelee and Dowell rejoined Ragland in the getaway vehicle and fled the scene for a second time.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Albemarle County Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber prosecuted the case.

CHARLOTESVILLE, Va. – The final two defendants in a four-man robbery team that threatened both an Albemarle County woman and a Charlottesville man at gunpoint pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court.

Corey Raymont Kinney, 48, and Quincy “Boosie” Brock, 27, both of Charlottesville, pled guilty to one count each of brandishing and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Brock also pled guilty to committing Hobbs Act robbery.

Adrian Chevarr Anderson, 39, and Markel Corevis Morton, 43, previously pleaded guilty to participating in the two robberies.

“Reducing violent crime in the Western District of Virginia is a cornerstone of this United States Attorney’s Office and we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who participate in violent, criminal behavior,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “These individuals showed blatant disregard for the well-being of others and for that they were held accountable.”

“Addressing violent crime in our communities remains a top priority for the FBI.  Through our partnership with the Albemarle County Police Department and the United States Attorney's Office in the Western District of Virginia, we were able to remove four violent criminals from the community who will face significant sentences for their crimes,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Against in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.  “Individuals with knowledge of violent crimes occurring in their communities are encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately -either call 911, your local police/sheriff, FBI Richmond at 804-261-1044, or send info to tips.FBI.gov.”

“The Albemarle County Police Department remains committed to collaborating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, like the United State Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This commitment to cooperation is vital to keeping the citizens, residents, and visitors of Albemarle County safe,” stated Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Police for Albemarle County.

According to court documents, Morton recruited Brock, Anderson, and Kinney to rob a local drug dealer with a promise to split $50,000 in cash he believed to be hidden in the drug dealer’s apartment in Albemarle County. 

In August 2021, Brock, Anderson, and Kinney forced entry into the apartment and held a female victim at gunpoint as both the apartment and the female victim’s car were searched.  During the robbery, Brock, Anderson, and Kinney took the victim’s phone and other personal items but did not find the $50,000.

When they returned empty-handed, Morton insisted they locate the drug dealer’s cash stash at a second location on Prospect Avenue in the City of Charlottesville.  All four men were armed with firearms when they drove to the second location and stole a safe containing approximately $50,000.  As they were leaving the apartment, Brock and Morton were intercepted by a man who was standing outside and they pointed their firearms at him before fleeing the scene. 

The Albemarle County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Carlton and Ronald M. Huber prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Charlottesville woman, who altered and forged checks she obtained without the consent of the checks’ owners, was sentenced yesterday to 42 months in federal prison.  

Samantha Leigh Thomas, 33, pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Thomas devised a scheme in which she altered or forged stolen checks and then deposited all of her ill-gotten gains into one of five personal checking accounts maintained at five different financial institutions.  The eventual loss suffered by the victims exceeded $25,000.  In addition to being required to pay back the money she stole, Thomas will be on supervised release for a period of four years after her release from prison.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and  Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division made the announcement.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Albemarle County Police Department  investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber is prosecuting the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Smyth County, Virginia man, who ordered approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills from California and sold them in Southwest Virginia, was sentenced today to 42  months in federal prison. He will also pay the United States a $50,000 monetary judgement.

Zachary Ryan Hutton, 21, of Marion, Virginia, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute, as well as distributing, 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl.

According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating a flood of illegal pills in Smyth County, Virginia that resembled pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone pills that were inconsistent in size, shape, and color, indicating they were counterfeit pills. The investigation revealed that the active ingredient in these “pressed” pills was fentanyl. Pills of this type are sometimes referred to as “Roxicodone,” “pressed,” or “M30” pills and often have an imprint of an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other side. 

In June 2021, the U.S. Postal Service–Office of Inspector General intercepted a package addressed to “Ryan Hutton” at the residence of Hutton’s grandmother in Marion. The package contained approximately 561 grams of pressed fentanyl pills.

Law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package, at which time Hutton was arrested and found to be in possession of an additional 798 pressed pills. During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement learned that Hutton had ordered fentanyl pills by mail for at least four months, received approximately 30,000 pills during that time frame, and paid a source in California $20,000 for the most recent package. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement.

The Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service–Office of the Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A pair of drug traffickers, who conspired with several others to sell methamphetamine in Southwest Virginia, were sentenced last week in the Western District of Virginia to lengthy federal prison terms.

Amanda Dawn Skeens, 35, of Princeton, West Virginia, and Josh Goodman, 46, of Richlands, Virginia, both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Last week, Skeens was sentenced to 11 years in prison and Goodman was sentenced to 9 years in prison. 

In August 2022, another member of the conspiracy, Zachary Thomas Justice, 26, also of Richlands, Virginia, was sentenced to 14 years on similar charges.

According to court documents, between August 2019 and January 2022, Skeens, Justice, Goodman, and co-defendants Steven Cantrell and Ronda Rose conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Tazewell and Russell Counties in Virginia.

Cantrell and Rose have all pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

During 2019 and 2020, Justice and Cantrell sold methamphetamine out of an apartment they shared in Swords Creek, Virginia.  In addition, Justice also traded firearms to Cantrell in return for methamphetamine for resale.

As part of the conspiracy, Skeens supplied methamphetamine several times a week from her home in West Virginia to other conspiracy members, who then brought the methamphetamine into Russell and Tazewell counties for further distribution, bringing anywhere from two ounces to a pound per trip.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement.

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office, the Mercer County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, the Southern West Virginia Drug Task Force, the Tazewell County Drug Task Force, the Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – A member of a Romanian criminal organization who traveled to the United States to conduct ATM skimming pleaded guilty last week in federal court.

Catalin Puscasu, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  Puscasu is the third defendant to have pleaded guilty for his role in this scheme.

According to court documents, between December 2018 and March 2019, Puscasu and others worked together to obtain personal identifying information and then used that data to make unauthorized cash withdrawals from the accounts of these victims and/or use the victims’ credit for their personal gain.

Specifically, members of this criminal organization installed skimming devices and small hidden cameras onto ATM card readers at federally-insured banks throughout the Western District of Virginia in order to steal customers’ PINs and account numbers.  The scammers encoded that stolen information onto blank debit cards and then used them to withdraw money. 

In March 2019, Puscasu was arrested in Michigan for committing similar offenses.  After serving 36 months in federal custody for those crimes, he was returned to the Western District of Virginia to face charges related to his conduct here.  Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, Puscasu will serve an additional 18 to 37 months in prison and must pay restitution to the victims.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement today.

The United States Secret Service, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke County Police Department, the Campbell County Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Farmville Police Department, the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, the Blacksburg Police Department, and the Lynchburg Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Coleman Adams is prosecuting the case.

CHARLOTESVILLE, Va. – A Winchester, Virginia man, who lied when he purchased a firearm that was later used by a close relative in a Southeast D.C. homicide, pleaded guilty today in federal court.

Gerald Kendrick Oxner, 25, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging him with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

According to court documents, Oxner lied when he purchased a Smith and Wesson 9-millimeter handgun in January 2021 by not disclosing that he was purchasing the weapon for someone other than himself as well as providing a false home address on the required forms.  Investigators obtained security camera footage and receipts from the store in Front Royal, Virginia, which show Oxner buying the firearm and using his close relative’s debit card to make the purchase.

Law enforcement later recovered the firearm in Maryland, but its serial number had been obliterated.  Through forensic analysis, the serial number was restored, and the firearm was linked to evidence recovered from the scene of a January 25, 2021 shooting in Southeast Washington D.C. where one person was killed and three others were injured.  Oxner’s relative was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.

Oxner further admitted that he made multiple other straw purchases in Virginia, however, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, none of the firearms or related ammunition that he purchased were found in his possession or in the residence.  Subsequently, another one of the firearms he bought was found during the execution of an unrelated search warrant in Washington, D.C.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.

Oxner faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith and Katie B. Medearis are prosecuting the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A federal jury convicted the final two defendants in a massive Lynchburg-based drug conspiracy that trafficked cocaine from Texas and North Carolina into Lynchburg for distribution throughout Central Virginia.

Today, a jury convicted Ricky Donnell Abner, 44, and Charay Lamont Trent, 43, on drug conspiracy and weapons charges.  In addition, the ringleader,  Jermel “Jah” Storey, and 13 other individuals, including Antonio Edwards, Jason Ellison, Dashonna Farmer, Jason Hamlette, Steven Hughey, Jabari Johnson, Corey Johnson, James Mason, Adrian Mays, Christopher McDonald, Donnell Miller, Maggie Smith, and Juan Valdez, all pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.

Between January 2016 and January 2021, Storey supplied his complex network of drug dealers from his residence in Lynchburg by maintaining a steady stream of large amounts of narcotics from sources in Texas.  Even after moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, Storey continued his drug-dealing conspiracy by directing his co-conspirators to meet him in Charlotte to collect the drugs and then return to Lynchburg for sales throughout Central Virginia. 

“Today’s convictions bring to a close the final phase of a long term, multi-agency investigation and prosecution that will have a lasting impact on Central Virginia,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today.  “These drug traffickers were responsible for bringing kilograms of narcotics into the Lynchburg area and were implicated in other violent criminal activity.  The Lynchburg community is absolutely safer tonight due to the hard work and dedication of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this case.”

“Combating violent crime and narcotics distribution within our communities is a job we all take very seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Patterson. “We will continue to leverage our resources and expertise as we work cohesively with our law enforcement and judicial partners to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics and other acts of violence within our community.”

“The Lynchburg Police Department values its long-term relationships with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners,” said Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema.  “These convictions are just one example of the great work the women and men of these collective agencies perform on a daily basis.  We know drug activity directly ties into an increase in violent crime, and these convictions will have a significant impact on removing drugs from Lynchburg's streets as well as keeping our residents healthy and safe.”

“These successful prosecutions are the product of a unified response to drug trafficking by federal and state law enforcement agencies.  The effects of this criminal activity are felt by those suffer from addiction to the poison these individuals spread into our communities.  Drug trafficking frequently is associated with violent crime.  This joint investigation, prosecution, and sentencing sends the message that there is a great price to pay for this illegal and dangerous activity.  Great thanks go to our partner agencies and especially to the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District for seeing these cases through the federal courts.” Bethany Harrison, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lynchburg Police Department, the Virginia State Police’s Central Virginia Drug and Gang Task Force, and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean M. Welsh and Ronald M. Huber prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The owner of a South Carolina supplement company was sentenced last week to one day and one year of imprisonment for manufacturing and shipping unapproved drugs and anabolic steroids.

John F. Cochcroft, 37, of Lexington, South Carolina, pleaded guilty on May 25, to one count of introduction of a new drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead and one count of manufacturing and possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing anabolic steroids. As part of the plea agreement, Cochcroft agreed to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $200,000 related to proceeds from his sales of illicit products. U.S. District Judge James P. Jones of the Western District of Virginia imposed the sentence.

In pleading guilty, Cochcroft admitted that he operated businesses that marketed products as “dietary supplements” to the body-building and fitness communities to increase muscle mass. He admitted that some of these products contained osterine, a type of synthetic steroid known as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). The FDA has warned against the use of SARMs, including stating in a 2017 warning letter to another firm that SARMs have been linked to life-threatening reactions like liver toxicity, and that they have the potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

“Workout supplements containing anabolic steroids and unapproved steroid-like drugs can be dangerous,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work closely with the FDA to prosecute those who seek profit at the expense of public safety.”

“Cochcroft and his company placed public health at risk by unlawfully distributing unapproved drugs that have been linked to life-threatening conditions,” U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “Marketing and distributing unapproved drugs is not only dangerous, but a federal crime.”

“The FDA oversees the production and sale of prescription drugs to ensure that they are safe and effective. Criminals who attempt to sell medicines outside of FDA’s oversight put consumers’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge George A. Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “Our office will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who endanger the public’s health.”

According to court filings, Cochcroft took steps to mislead and defraud the government and consumers in the sale of these products, including using multiple addresses with fictitious business names, working with Chinese suppliers to mislabel drug products as foodstuff items, and knowingly failing to seek approval for the products. During its investigation, the government seized various products containing anabolic steroids from Cochcroft’s business. Anabolic steroids are Schedule III controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act , Schedule III(e) and have been linked to life-threatening reactions and side effects.

The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer o for the Western District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Speare Hodges of the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– A Staunton, Virginia man, who attempted to run over law enforcement officers serving arrest warrants, was sentenced last week to 57 months in federal prison.

Richard Lee Knight, 39, pled guilty in June 2022 to one count of assault on a federal officer.

According to court documents, the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) discovered that Knight, who was wanted on several fugitive warrants out of various jurisdictions in Virginia, was staying at a motel in the Charlottesville area.

Local law enforcement, in conjunction with CARFTF, located Knight in a Walmart parking lot on the morning of November 29, 2021 near his Mercedes Benz vehicle.  When a law enforcement officer moved in to arrest him by issuing an order to “show me your hands, don’t move,” Knight refused the order and entered his car instead.  Knight drove his Mercedes in reverse, striking both a CARFTF officer and a police vehicle, then drove forward, ramming into a second police vehicle.

After fleeing the scene, Knight led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase through Albemarle County, Virginia before being apprehended after crashing his vehicle on Interstate 64.

As a result of Knight’s actions, a CARFTF officer suffered cuts, bruises, back injuries, and a concussion.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and United States Marshal Thomas L. Foster of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Albemarle County Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald M. Huber and Jordan E. McKay prosecuted the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Pound, Virginia man on August 11, 2022 for conspiring to steal pandemic unemployment benefits as part of a larger scheme involving at least 37 other co-conspirators.

Danny L. Mullins Jr., 50, was convicted following a two-day jury trial of conspiracy to defraud the United States, fraud in connection with federal emergency benefits, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mullins received more than $18,000 in fraudulent benefits by conspiring with others, including his sister, Veronica Mullins, and conspiracy leaders Danielle Chytka, Greg Tackett, and Jeffrey Tackett, to input his personally identifiable information to the Virginia Employment Commission in order to receive pandemic unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled. 

In all, the conspiracy involved submitting fraudulent claims for approximately 37 individuals, including multiple inmates incarcerated in southwest Virginia regional jails, all of whom were not eligible to receive pandemic unemployment benefits, and causing at least $499,000 in false claims to be paid. 

Mullins will be sentenced on November 7, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and Special Agent in Charge Darrell J. Waldon of the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

The Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation - Washington, D.C. Field Office, the Norton Police Department investigated the case. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Murphy and Lena Busscher prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

ABINGDON, Va.  – A Southwest Virginia man, who distributed methamphetamine in Southwest Virginia as part of a multi-member drug trafficking ring, pled guilty last week to federal drug charges.

Travis Nelson Farmer, 44, of Rural Retreat, Virginia, pleaded guilty last Thursday to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Previously, co-defendants, Larry Wayne Whittaker, 41, of Marion, Virginia, Amanda Michelle Wain, 29, of Marion, Virginia, and Borve Carlyle Fisher Jr., 35, of Chilhowie, Virginia, all pleaded guilty to similar charges as part of their participation in a drug-trafficking conspiracy.    

According to court documents, Farmer, Fisher, Wain, and Whittaker distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Smyth County, Virginia, much of which was trafficked from Atlanta, Georgia.     

Farmer, Wayne, and Whittaker face sentences ranging from ten years to life in prison, while Fisher faces a sentence of five to forty years.  In addition, the defendants forfeited multiple pistols, ammunition, and nearly $42,000 in cash. 

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, VA.  – A Gainesville, Virginia man, who threatened to ‘blow-up Roanoke,’ and kill a bank branch manager, was arrested earlier this week on federal charges.

Brandon Hayward, 33, is charged via federal criminal complaint with use of a telephone to make a threat to injure or destroy property by means of fire or explosives as well as one count of communicating a threat in interstate commerce.

According to court documents, on Monday, August 15, 2022, Hayward called the InFirst Federal Credit Union located in the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke, Virginia. The branch manager spoke with Hayward and attempted to assist him concerning a recurring charge on his account.

Unsatisfied with the outcome of his complaint, Hayward became irate and told the branch manager, “I am going to get you raped…I will get you killed, bitch.”

He told the branch manager twice, “I am going to blow up Roanoke,” and adding, “I don’t give a fu**.”

Hayward then told the branch manager he was going to get his shotgun and Google her name, adding: “You think you’re safe in Roanoke; you’re not.”

Hayward was arrested on August 18, 2022 without incident.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The Federal Protective Service Division of the Department of Homeland Security is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin B. Johnson is prosecuting the case for the United States.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.