NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Erick Allen Osby, 29, of Hampton, is staring down a lengthy federal prison sentence after pleading guilty today to charges of cocaine trafficking and illegal firearm possession. The bust, a testament to the relentless work of local and federal agents, paints a picture of a man brazenly flouting the law and endangering the community.
The trouble began January 15, 2024, when a Newport News Police Department (NNPD) officer spotted Osby displaying a firearm to another individual in a parking lot on Warwick Boulevard. Osby then quickly stashed the weapon in his vehicle before crossing Warwick. Alerted to the situation, uniformed officers moved in to investigate, observing Osby interacting with another person and noticing a handgun partially concealed in his pants.
Before officers could approach, Osby bolted, triggering a short foot chase. In a desperate attempt to ditch evidence, he hurled a cellphone and a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun into the median. He was quickly apprehended, but the damage was done. A search of Osby’s vehicle revealed a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, a shotgun cartridge, digital scales, and various drug paraphernalia. Even more damning, investigators found 20.72 grams of cocaine tucked away in his pocket.
As a previously convicted felon, Osby was already prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition – a fact he clearly disregarded. He now faces the consequences. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2025. He could receive up to 20 years for the drug charge, and a consecutive mandatory minimum of five years, potentially extending to life, for the firearm charge.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, and Newport News Police Chief Steve R. Drew, announced the guilty plea following the acceptance by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf is prosecuting the case. This operation is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities.
While maximum penalties are significant, actual sentences in federal cases often fall short. The final decision rests with a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who choose to peddle drugs and illegally arm themselves will be held accountable. Further information and court documents can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Eastern District of Virginia and on PACER (Case No. 24-cr-26).
Related Federal Cases
- Hampton Heroin Dealer Durkee Sentenced to 20 Years · Washington
- Peralta-Perez Dynasty: Father & Son Get Decades for Coke · Washington
- Hampton duo indicted for bank fraud, ID theft · Washington
- Chesapeake Dealer Sentenced for Fentanyl-Linked Death · Washington
- Chesapeake Dealer Sentenced for Fentanyl-Linked Teen Death · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
