Ivan Rodriguez Chavez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Virginia 2023

Two Conspirators Plead Guilty in Federal Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Lynchburg, VIRGINIA – In a shocking turn of events, two defendants in a broader methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy have pled guilty to conspiracy and firearms charges in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.

Ivan Rodriguez Chavez, 35, of Forest, Va., pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute specified quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of these drug trafficking crimes.

Brent Michael Hutchins, 27, of Goode, Va., also pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. In addition to this charge, Hutchins entered a plea of guilty to one count of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

According to evidence presented at today’s guilty plea hearing by Special Assistant United States Attorney Kari Munro, between April 2015 and April 2016, Chavez acted as the main source of supply for his co-defendants and others, including Hutchins, in a methamphetamine ring operating throughout Bedford and Campbell Counties. The Government’s evidence indicates that Chavez was traveling to North Carolina on a frequent basis to obtaining large quantities of both methamphetamine and cocaine.

These drugs would then be sold to others in the conspiracy for his co-defendants’ personal use as well as redistribution to a number of end users. In all, six illegally possessed firearms, 100 grams of cocaine, and more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine can be traced to the members of the conspiracy.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office and the Roanoke City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Donald R. Wolthuis and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kari Munro prosecuted the case for the United States.

Chavez and Hutchins are scheduled to be sentenced on [insert date] and face up to 20 years in prison for their respective crimes. This case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of methamphetamine trafficking on our communities and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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