On June 4, a Virginia man was sentenced to almost four years in prison for his role in heroin distribution in the area. According to law enforcement, the man was part of a Baltimore-based heroin ring.
Prosecutors say that, every other day, the man purchased heroin from the Baltimore ring. Usually, it was 4 or 5 grams, but at times, he bought as much as 10 grams. He then distributed the heroin through the Winchester and Front Royal areas. Court documents say he engaged in this activity from summer 2015 to spring 2018, bringing around 400 grams of heroin in all to the area. The man pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.
A number of law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation, including multiple police and sheriffs’ departments. The Drug Enforcement Administration was also involved. Several of these agencies are part of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force that aims to eliminate illegal drugs in the area.
People who are facing charges for drug crimes may want to consult an attorney. One possibility for an individual is a plea bargain, in which the person agrees to plead guilty, often to lesser charges, and receives a lighter sentence. An attorney might also look into whether evidence was obtained legally. An illegal search and seizure could lead to the dismissal of the evidence. The attorney might consider whether the person’s rights were violated in any other way. Evidence could be mishandled, or a substance could be mistakenly identified as a drug that is not. Depending on the case built against the individual, going to trial might be an option for some. An attorney might assist the person in building a strategy for the trial. This includes calling eyewitness accounts and other evidence into question.
