NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man is facing serious charges after being linked to the distribution of heroin resulting in death, according to a criminal complaint filed on April 21, 2014, and unsealed today.
Stephen Ron Martin II, 20, of Virginia Beach, Va., was charged with distribution of heroin resulting in death. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, on October 27, 2013, Martin distributed heroin to Steven Bradley Nichols. Two days later, Virginia Beach Police found an unresponsive Nichols while conducting a well-being check that had been called into 9-1-1.
Police also found evidence of recent heroin use in plain view inside Nichols’ apartment, including a depressed syringe on top of a desk within an arm’s length of Nichols’ body and a needle mark on his arm. Two plastic bags containing off-white powder were found on the kitchen counter, which were later tested and found to contain heroin.
An autopsy confirmed that Nichols had ingested heroin and subsequently died as a result of acute heroin intoxication.
This case was investigated by HSI Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Darryl Mitchell is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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