Felix Ayo Campbell Sentenced in Roanoke Drug, Gun Case

Felix Ayo Campbell, a 40-year-old man from Roanoke, Virginia, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 72 months for dealing cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence, handed down today in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, marks the end of a case rooted in violence and illegal trade.

Campbell previously pled guilty to one count of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and one count of being a previously convicted felon in unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from a March 2016 traffic stop conducted by local law enforcement, during which officers discovered both a loaded firearm and a substantial quantity of cocaine in Campbell’s possession.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Bassford, who prosecuted the case, presented evidence at prior hearings showing Campbell had no legal right to carry a weapon due to prior convictions. The firearm, loaded and accessible, added a dangerous edge to the drug charge, pushing sentencing guidelines higher under federal law.

“The deadly combination of illegal drugs and guns in our communities must continue to be addressed if we are ever to make our streets safer for future generations,” said United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. “This sentence sends a clear message.”

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Roanoke City Police Department, and the Roanoke Valley HIDTA task force. Coordination between federal and local agencies has intensified in recent years to target repeat offenders engaged in armed drug activity.

Campbell will serve his 72-month sentence in federal prison, followed by supervised release. Authorities stress that cases like this highlight ongoing challenges in urban enforcement, where drugs and firearms continue to fuel cycles of violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says it will continue to pursue aggressive prosecution of such offenses.