John Christopher Norton, Heroin Conspiracy, Oregon 2013

EUGENE, Ore. – A notorious heroin dealer will spend the next decade behind bars after being sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.

John Christopher Norton, 40, of Eugene, Oregon, was handed down the harsh sentence on July 29, 2013, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Norton’s lengthy rap sheet includes convictions for bank robbery and delivery of a controlled substance. Just a week after being released from prison in September 2011, he started selling heroin again. Over the next two months, Norton enlisted the help of his stepson, Cory Beatt, to conduct multiple heroin deals in Lane County.

A search warrant executed in November 2011 uncovered a stash of heroin at Norton’s residence. Investigators determined that he possessed a total of 352 grams of heroin.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ann Aiken, who presided over the sentencing, delivered a stern warning, stating, ‘The damage to the community from people dealing drugs, particularly the quantities involved in this case, needs to be underscored.’

Judge Aiken took issue with Norton’s involvement of a family member in his criminal enterprise and reprimanded him for a text message he sent to Beatt after their arrest. In the message, Norton urged Beatt not to cooperate with law enforcement.

Despite the bleak circumstances, over 20 of Norton’s supporters showed up in court to speak out on his behalf, submitting letters to the court detailing his 16-month sobriety from drugs and alcohol, commitment to mentoring troubled youth, and excellent employment record. Judge Aiken credited Norton with extraordinary rehabilitation and sentenced him to 120 months in prison, less than the 151 months recommended by the government.

Norton’s stepson, Cory Beatt, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to no additional prison time, but must serve up to 120 days in the Lane County Residential Reentry Center and attend Federal Reentry Court.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Eugene Police Department, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William ‘Bud’ Fitzgerald.

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