A Hampton man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy that led to a fatal fentanyl overdose in 2014.
Benjamin Frank Barrett Jr., 47, of Hampton, was sentenced to 264 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for his participation in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as the distribution of fentanyl which resulted in death, in the Eastern District of Virginia.
According to court documents, from April 2010 to June 11, 2015, Barrett was the organizer and leader of a heroin drug trafficking organization that operated in Newport News, Hampton, and other nearby cities. In addition to distributing heroin directly to customers, Barrett also utilized ‘runners,’ such as co-conspirators Cecil Edwards and Esstease Bellamy, who sold heroin to users in the community.
In June 2014, Barrett sold fentanyl, also known as ‘China White,’ in addition to heroin. Robert Shedd, 49, of Newport News, died on June 12, 2014, of a drug overdose and the fentanyl he ingested was distributed by Barrett.
Bellamy pleaded guilty on Oct. 6, 2015, and will be sentenced on Jan. 14, 2016. Edwards pleaded guilty on July 22, 2015, and was sentenced on Oct. 21, 2015, to 40 months in prison, followed by three years supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson delivered the sentence. The case was investigated by DEA’s Richmond Field Division and prosecuted by Yvonne Garcia and Ivana Nizich from the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The sentence was announced by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Gregory J. Cherundolo, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Richmond Field Division.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:15cr47. A copy of this press release may also be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Related Federal Cases
- Cleveland Drug Dealer Gets 18-Year Sentence for Heroin, Fentanyl Distribution · West Virginia
- Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution in Huntington Overdose Spree · West Virginia
- Hampton Resident Jerome Frostman Sentenced for Child Pornography · Virginia
- Grave Robbery: WV Cemetery Owner Admits Fraud · Virginia
- WV Barber Board Staffer Pilfers Fees · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News