Trenton R. Birchette, a 34-year-old resident of Surry County, Virginia, has been sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for his involvement in a string of illicit activities. The investigation led by the Newport News Police, in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), revealed a shocking case of brazen drug trafficking.
As reported by authorities, Birchette was arrested on December 28, 2015, during a routine traffic stop. At the time of his arrest, detectives found a handgun, ammunition, and a digital scale in the area immediately accessible to Birchette. A search of Birchette’s person following his arrest led detectives to believe that Birchette had something concealed between his buttocks.
Subsequent recorded jail calls made later that evening revealed that Birchette had planned to have another inmate bring the drugs to a woman and direct her to give them to her son for distribution on his behalf. The investigation led detectives to obtain a search warrant for Birchette’s person. On the way to the hospital, Birchette removed from his buttocks a plastic bag containing over six grams of individually packaged rocks of crack cocaine.
The bag was hidden in between the seat cushions of the vehicle in which he was transported. Detectives discovered the bag one day later on the floorboard immediately behind where Birchette had been seated. Birchette, a convicted felon with four prior felony offenses, including two prior cocaine offenses, was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, using a telephone in furtherance of drug distribution, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin C. Gratton and Brian J. Samuels. U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen presided over the case. Birchette’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and put innocent lives at risk. His sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in illicit activities.
Trenton R. Birchette, 34, of Surry County, Virginia, has been sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
Defendant: Trenton R. Birchette
Criminal Charges: Possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, using a telephone in furtherance of drug distribution, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon
City and State: Newport News, Virginia
Exact Date: December 28, 2015
Sentence or Outcome: 10 years and 10 months in prison
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- Derrick Patrick Bernard, Jr., Drug Trafficking, Conspiracy, Possession of Firearms, Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Joseph LaForte, International Drug Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2023 · Virginia
- James Lafortes, Drug Trafficking Ring Collapse, Philadelphia PA, 2023 · Virginia
- Oliver, Drug Smuggling Ring Heist, Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking | Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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