NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Gloucester County resident Nathan DeAlbert Mattocks, 39, will spend the next 35 years behind bars after being sentenced yesterday for a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, a brazen shooting, and a chilling attempt to silence witnesses. The sentence, handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, reflects the gravity of Mattocks’ actions and his deep-rooted criminal history.
The case began in August 2020 when the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office responded to an emergency call reporting a shooting on a main road. The caller claimed they were being fired upon by occupants of another vehicle. Law enforcement quickly identified a vehicle matching the description, leading to the arrest of Mattocks. A search near the scene turned up “Roxacet 30” pills laced with fentanyl, along with a semi-automatic pistol directly linked to the defendant.
But the shooting and drug possession weren’t the end of Mattocks’ crimes. While awaiting trial, authorities discovered he actively attempted to obstruct justice and intimidate potential witnesses. Incarcerated, Mattocks approached a known violent gang member with a disturbing proposition: eliminate the witnesses who had provided information to law enforcement about the shooting and his drug dealing. He offered payment, either cash or a substantial quantity of drugs, in exchange for the witnesses being “taken care of” – meaning killed or otherwise prevented from testifying.
A damning note detailing the names and information of the targeted witnesses was provided to the gang member. One of those listed *did* end up testifying at Mattocks’ July 2022 trial. The investigation, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, also revealed a long-standing pattern of drug distribution by Mattocks throughout the Middle Peninsula region. He peddled heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and other dangerous controlled substances, poisoning the community for years.
“This sentence should send a clear message that targeting witnesses and engaging in violent drug trafficking will not be tolerated,” stated Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal enterprises and hold offenders accountable.” Michael T. Weddel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Gloucester County Sheriff Darrell W. Warren, Jr., joined in the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Samuels and Kenneth Kaplan prosecuted the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Zlotnick. Mattocks was convicted on charges of drug trafficking, firearms offenses, witness tampering, retaliation, and obstruction of justice, all culminating in the 35-year federal prison sentence. Case No. 4:21-cr-6 can be found on PACER or the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Eastern District of Virginia.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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