Richmond Man Sentenced for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl

 RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance containing heroin and fentanyl.

According to court documents, Tavarus Jermaine Williams, 40, was arrested on March 19 as part of a law enforcement focus on high violent crime areas of Richmond. In December 2019, law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of narcotics from Williams. Lab testing confirmed that the substance purchased from Williams on both occasions was heroin mixed with fentanyl. During a search warrant executed on Williams’ residence, officers recovered a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In the days following his arrest, Williams used another inmate’s PIN to place phone calls to his girlfriend. In these calls, Williams solicited his girlfriend to find information for the person he believed tipped off law enforcement to his drug activity, and concluded that someone needed to pay this person a visit. ATF agents promptly conducted an investigation to follow up on these phone calls.

At sentencing, Williams received enhancements under the sentencing guidelines for possessing a dangerous weapon for the firearm recovered during the search warrant and obstruction of justice for the phone calls.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and William C. Smith, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Janet Jin Ah Lee prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-57.