Justin Shane Cress, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Virginia 2021

Methamphetamine Trafficking Rings in Virginia Busted

Abingdon, Va. – A devastating blow has been dealt to methamphetamine trafficking rings in Virginia. On [October 2021], Justin Shane Cress, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Between July 2019 and December 2020, Cress conspired with co-defendants Daniel Eugene Rowland, Jonathan Adam Rollins, Eric Matthew Glass, and others to distribute methamphetamine throughout Lee and Wise counties in Virginia. Cress served as a ‘middle-man,’ facilitating multi-kilogram sales of methamphetamine between co-defendants in southwest Virginia and a source of supply in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, Cress directly distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine in Lee and Wise counties.

Cress’s role in the conspiracy was instrumental in facilitating the distribution of the highly addictive and destructive substance in the region. His sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in such activities.

The case against Cress was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case.

Cress was sentenced to 135 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. This sentence is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to combat methamphetamine trafficking in Virginia.

As the region continues to grapple with the consequences of methamphetamine addiction, it is essential to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Cress’s sentencing serves as a reminder that those who engage in such activities will be brought to justice and face severe consequences.

In related news, co-defendant Cory Austin Hammond was previously sentenced to 135 months in prison for his role in the same conspiracy. The remaining co-conspirators are scheduled to be sentenced in federal court later this month.

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