ROANOKE, Va. – Two men who conspired to retaliate against a witness, to distribute fentanyl, and to possess a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, pleaded guilty recently in federal court.
William Preston Ramey-Woodard, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to threaten bodily harm or cause bodily harm to another person to retaliate against that person for providing information to law enforcement regarding the commission of a federal offense, one count of distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Joseph Coquia ‘Kee’ Martin, 42, of Roanoke, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to murder a person who was assisting a law enforcement officer and one count of discharging and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
‘These two defendants sought to retaliate against a government witness and for that, they are being held accountable,’ United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said. ‘Too many times people with information have been scared to come forward due to fear of repercussions. This case should serve as an example that we, as a law enforcement community in Roanoke, have your back. We will protect you and prosecute anyone who threatens you for doing what is right.’
‘Actions such as witness intimidation will never be tolerated and it is an act that we at ATF take very seriously,’ ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson said.
‘All too often, the solving of and successful prosecution regarding incidents of violent crime relies on witness information,’ Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman said.
According to court documents, in March 2020, Ramey-Woodard sold $4,000 worth of fentanyl to a confidential police informant. The transaction was captured on video, during which it is clear the defendant was in possession of a firearm. Following two subsequent controlled purchases from Ramey-Woodard, the defendant was arrested. While in custody, Ramey-Woodard engaged in coded telephone and email conversations with co-conspirator Joseph Martin, which were recorded by the jail. The two discussed the identity of the informant, where he worked, where he lived, and whether the informant should suffer consequences as a result of working with the police.
On May 31, 2020, Martin went to the informant’s home and shot him, causing a non-lethal injury. Ramey-Woodard claimed he wanted the informant to suffer a threat or perhaps physical assault but did not plan, intend, or anticipate Martin would shoot the informant.
Both Ramey-Woodard and Martin face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the factors set forth in the Sentencing Reform Act.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance of the Roanoke Police Department and the Roanoke County Police Department.
Related Federal Cases
- Dustin L. White, Methamphetamine Trafficking, West Virginia 2020 · Washington
- Michael Stanley Wright, Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Possession, West Virginia 2020-2021 · Virginia
- Cordale Antonio Williams, Drug Trafficking, West Virginia 2020 · Virginia
- John Suffare Beavers, II, Drug Trafficking, West Virginia 2021 · Washington
- Joshua Aaron Roy, Firearm and Fentanyl Charges, West Virginia 2020 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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