Category: Legal Issues

Source: United States Attorneys General 12

Seattle – A 44-year-old Seattle man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison for possession of images of child rape and abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Jason Alan Legg was on probation for the rapes of two 13-year-olds when a Washington State Department of Corrections investigation determined he had electronic devices containing images of child rape and abuse.  This was Legg’s third sentencing for sex crimes related to children.  At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said, “This is not a victimless crime.  These are real people and it has tremendous impact on their lives…  It is a pervasive destruction of their lives taking place at an early age.”

According to records filed in the case, in 1998 Legg was first convicted in the Middle District Georgia of shipping and transporting child pornography.  He was sentenced to 41 months in prison.  In 2004, he was convicted in King County, Washington, of two counts of rape of a child and possession of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Legg admitted he used community chat lines to find minors who he could groom for sexual activity.  Legg was sentenced to ten years in prison.  He was ordered to be on probation for the rest of his life. 

In December 2018, Legg’s Community Corrections Officer learned he had unapproved electronic devices. Legg had been ordered to have monitoring software on all his devices.  A search of his apartment in Seattle turned up a cell phone that did not have monitoring software.  Legg had also hidden a flash drive in a hockey mask in his apartment.  On the phone and the flash drive were some 44 images of child rape and sex abuse. 

Legg pleaded guilty in July 2022.  Both the prosecution and defense recommended the mandatory minimum sentenced of ten years in prison.  Legg will be on federal supervision for 15 years following his prison term.

Judge Robart ordered Legg to pay $6,000 in restitution to the victims in the images he possessed.

The case was investigated by the Washington State Department of Corrections and Homeland Security Investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon.  Ms. Harmon is a Senior King County Deputy Prosecutor specially designated to prosecute child exploitation crimes in federal court.

Source: United States Attorneys General 12

Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Corey A. Darilek, age 41, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today in federal court in Spokane, Washington. Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Darilek to 180 months in federal prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. In July 2022, Darilek pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii).

According to court documents, the Spokane Police Department was investigating Darilek’s drug-trafficking activities in the Spokane area, after he was identified as a significant drug distributor. The investigation led to a search warrant of Darilek’s Spokane-area home as well as several of his vehicles. The Spokane Police Department located over one pound of methamphetamine as well as heroin, multiple firearms, and approximately $10,000 in cash. Darilek told law enforcement he had been a drug trafficker for an extended period and was involved in large-quantity deals, including a recent 20-pound methamphetamine transaction with individuals in Montana. Darilek estimated he received multiple pounds of methamphetamine and several ounces of heroin per week from his supplier, which Darilek then distributed to customers in the Spokane area.

After Darilek’s arrest, he was released by the court to attend in-patient drug treatment based on his asserted methamphetamine addiction. Shortly after his release, Darilek terminated himself from the drug treatment program and a warrant issued for his arrest. After his re-arrest, he was again released by the court to drug treatment. Shortly after his second release, Darilek again terminated himself from his drug treatment program and another warrant issued. Darilek was a fugitive for almost one year before he was re-captured. Because of Darilek’s failure to comply with his release conditions and fugitive status, Judge Rice enhanced Darilek’s sentence.

United States Attorney Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement for working to keep the Eastern District safe: “Mr. Darilek imported and distributed large-quantities of methamphetamine into the Spokane area. Then, after the Court afforded him numerous opportunities to enter drug treatment, he absconded twice and became a fugitive.” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “This “The sentence imposed on Mr. Darilek should put those on notice who seek to bring harm to our sentence removes Mr. Darilek from the community for fifteen years and reiterates my office’s commitment to ensuring that those who distribute dangerous narcotics in Eastern Washington are held accountable.”

communities by distributing illegal narcotics,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “The DEA, along with its partners, will pursue them and hold them accountable no matter how long it takes.”

“The nexus between drugs and criminal activity, including violence, is well established and has impacted our community in very unhealthy and destructive ways. SPD is committed to collaborating with our regional partners in our relentless pursuit to hold accountable those who deal drugs in our community and prey on people trapped in addiction,” stated Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl.

This case was investigated by the Spokane Police Department as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard of the Eastern District of Washington handled this matter on behalf of the United States.

Source: United States Attorneys General 11

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On April 7, 2023, following a four-day trial in the United States District Court, Greeneville, Tenn., a jury convicted Timothy Carver, 53, of Jonesborough, Tenn., of knowingly producing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), knowingly distributing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2)(A), and knowingly possessing child pornography involving a child less than 12 years of age, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).

Sentencing is set for August 10^th at 9:00am before the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Carver faces a minimum mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment for production of child pornography, a minimum mandatory five years for distribution of child pornography.  Carver will also be subject to lifetime supervision and placement on the sex offender registry.

Evidence presented at trial proved the defendant videoed and photographed himself engaged in sexual acts with a 2-year-old.  The proof further showed that he distributed a child pornography video to an FBI Online Covert Agent using a messaging application.  FBI agents searched the defendant’s cellular phone and discovered 1,735 photo and video files containing child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III of the Eastern District of Tennessee, made the announcement. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, including agents from the Johnson City, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Field Offices, led the investigation that resulted in the indictment and subsequent conviction of Carver.  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Swecker and Thomas McCauley represented the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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Source: United States Attorneys General 12

Spokane, Washington – United States Attorney, Vanessa R. Waldref, announced today that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Guillermo Valdez, age 34, of Moses Lake, Washington, to 204 months in federal prison after Valdez had pleaded guilty on April 20, 2022 to two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 or More Grams of Methamphetamine and two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Valdez also was sentenced to 5 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on February 24, 2021, Valdez participated in a residential burglary in Spokane County, Washington, during which Valdez stole eleven firearms. Valdez, along with a co-defendant, trafficked the stolen firearms, one of which was used during a homicide of a child in Othello, Washington, days after the burglary on February 27, 2021. Later, on April 2, 2021, a trooper with the Washington State Patrol attempted to pull Valdez over. Valdez, while driving 90-100 miles per hour, was observed throwing a bag which contained a pistol and 822 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle. Valdez was detained while hiding in a tree after crashing his vehicle through a fence. Further, on July 7, 2021, Valdez was arrested at his residence in Moses Lake, Washington. Valdez’s residence was searched and 604 grams of methamphetamine was recovered, some from inside his minor child’s bedroom.

United States Attorney Waldref, who is the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “Mr. Valdez endangered his community by distributing large quantities of illegal narcotics, trafficking in stolen firearms, leading police on a high speed chase, and keeping distribution quantities of methamphetamine in a child’s bedroom. Here, Mr. Valdez’s distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms directly led to the homicide of a child and placed another child in danger. I’m grateful for the joint efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement, who helped bring Mr. Valdez to justice and who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and our neighborhoods strong.”

Assistant United States Attorney Earl A. Hicks, who was one of the lead prosecutors on the case, stated after the sentencing, “I’m grateful for the law enforcement team that investigated this case. Each day, these agents and officers serve their community, and they often do so at significant personal sacrifice. I’m honored to serve alongside such dedicated public servants as we work together to address violent crime and drug distribution in Eastern Washington.”

“Mr. Valdez’s brazen conduct clearly warranted this significant sentence,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “ATF is committed to keeping members of our communities safe from violent criminals such as Mr. Valdez.”

“We will continue to work with our partners at all levels to ensure individuals like Mr. Valdez no longer threaten the health and safety of our communities,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Othello Police Department, the Moses Lake Police Department, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. These cases were prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks and Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Source: United States Attorneys General 11

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On March 10, 2023, Clarence (“Buzz”) Nabers, 56 years old, was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home detention by the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville.  Judge Crytzer also ordered Dr. Nabers to serve one year on supervised release, pay restitution in the amount of $249,600.02, and pay a fine of $22,128.

Dr. Nabers, a Tennessee licensed dentist, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1347. 

As set forth in the written plea agreement filed with the court, during the time of the conspiracy, which began on an unknown date and lasted until at least November 1, 2018, Dr. Nabers conspired to submit more than 6,700 fraudulent claims to three health care benefit programs, resulting in a loss amount to those programs of $249,600.02. 

Those fraudulent claims, which were submitted using Dr. Nabers’s National Provider Identifier number, falsely represented that Dr. Nabers had either personally performed or supervised various dental procedures in his office, including but not limited to Oral Evaluations, Oral Evaluations for Patients under 3 Years of Age, and Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluations.  These procedures are required to be performed or supervised by a dentist, and not by a dental hygienist or dental assistant.  Dr. Nabers admitted that he had not, in fact, personally performed or supervised the performance of those procedures because he was not physically present at the office when they were performed.  Instead, the procedures were performed by dental hygienists or dental assistants when the defendant was not physically present in the office.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Former Assistant United States Attorney T.J. Harker, and current Assistant United States Attorney William A. Roach, Jr., prosecuted the case.

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Source: United States Attorneys General 12

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh  will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lena Busscher in the Abingdon Division, Michael Baudinet in the Roanoke Division, and Ronald M. Huber in the Charlottesville Division have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Western District of Virginia.  In that capacity they are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to threats of violence.  The Department of Justice continues to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said.

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote can exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt the voting system are brought to justice,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said. “To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns during the upcoming election, we must ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities.”

AUSA/DEOs Busscher, Baudinet, and Huber will be on duty in this District while the polls are open and may be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 540-857-2250.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The local FBI field office may be reached by the public at 804-261-1044.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws maybe made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .

United States Attorney Kavanaugh added, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

Source: United States Attorneys General 11

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Today, Ricky and Katrina Lanier, 55 and 49, both of LaGrange, N.C., were sentenced by the Honorable Travis McDonough, Chief United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, to serve federal prison terms of 48 months and 24 months, respectively, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and major fraud against the United States.  Following their incarceration, the Laniers will each be on supervised release for a period of one year.  Chief Judge McDonough ordered forfeiture of the couple’s bank accounts and deferred a ruling on a money judgement until a later date.

The couple were found guilty of these offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349, 1343, and 1031 on July 29, 2022, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court.  According to evidence presented at trial, the Laniers conspired from 2005 to 2013 to defraud the United States government through a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal contracts intended to be awarded to businesses lawfully participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development program.  They falsely represented that JMR Investments and Kylee Construction were eligible for these programs.  Their actions also deprived legitimate service-disabled veteran and minority-owned businesses from obtaining government contracts on which they were eligible to bid.

Ricky Lanier, who had previously owned and operated an 8(a) business receiving government contracts, became ineligible to participate in the 8(a) program after that business graduated from that program in 2008.  Lanier used a long-time friend and service-disabled veteran as the purported owner of Kylee Construction, falsely representing that the friend was involved in the daily management of the business, even while the friend was working for a government contractor in Afghanistan.  The Laniers used a minority-owned business run by Ricky Lanier’s college roommate, JMR Investments, as a front to obtain construction contracts from the National Park Service and other federal agencies under the 8(a) program, misrepresenting the friend’s involvement in the management and operation of the business.  The scheme also involved sub-contracting most of the work on the contracts in violation of program requirements.  As part of the scheme, the Laniers opened and controlled bank accounts into which government money was deposited, and they used those accounts to pay for extravagant vacations; monthly payments on a personal private airplane; a Mercedes Benz; mortgage payments for their personal residence; purchases of additional real estate; and purchases of personal property such as shoes, clothing, food, and souvenirs while on vacation.

The Laniers also defrauded the National Park Service in connection with a contract to replace a wastewater treatment facility at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, falsely representing subcontractor costs by over $400,000, resulting in the award of a $1.1 million contract for work on the project that was actually performed by a subcontractor for only $550,000.  The Laniers further fraudulently obtained a $1.3 million construction contract at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, which had been set aside for service-disabled veteran owned businesses.       
As a result of the false representations, Kylee Construction was awarded over $5 million in government contracts and JMR Investments was awarded over $9 million in government contracts.  The Laniers received almost $3 million in financial benefit from the scheme.

“The defendants’ conduct was especially egregious,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III.  “Of course, the dollar value of the government contracts was quite high, and the defendants obtained enormous personal gains to maintain a lavish lifestyle.  More importantly, not only did the defendants steal from the United States, they stole opportunities from scores of honest deserving entities such as legitimate service-disabled veteran-owned businesses who are trying to making a living in the civilian sector after having served the nation honorably.”

“Conspiring to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in government contracts from programs designed to benefit service-disabled veteran business owners steals opportunities from the deserving and lines the pockets of the greedy.  The VA OIG remains committed to diligently pursuing these cases in an effort to maintain the integrity of VA programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Kim R. Lampkins of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the US Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their joint efforts to achieve justice in this case.” 

“Illegally obtaining federal contracts steals taxpayer dollars and opportunities from the nation’s small business community,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite.  “OIG is committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”

Special Agent in Charge Katherine Balestra, U.S. Department of Interior OIG, recognized the efforts of the investigative team in protecting the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business program. “These investigations are so important to ensure that these federal contracts go to the individuals for whom they are intended,” Balestra said.

Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to indictment and subsequent conviction of Ricky and Katrina Lanier included the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General (DOI OIG), and Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven S. Neff, Perry H. Piper, and Anne-Marie Svolto represented the United States.

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Source: United States Attorneys General 12

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who had been acquitted in state court of a May 2019 murder in the City of Roanoke after claiming self-defense, was sentenced  yesterday to 12 years in prison on a federal gun charge.

Demarcus Shaiquan Glenn, 23, pled guilty in July 2022 to one count of possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, a 16-year-old male contacted Glenn through a friend on May 31, 2019, in order to purchase two ounces of marijuana.  Glenn agreed to sell the teenager the marijuana for $300 and was to meet him at a Denniston Avenue residence to conduct the transaction.   In the course of that transaction, Glenn produced a firearm and shot and killed the teenager.

Glenn was charged in state court for the shooting but was later acquitted, claiming self-defense.

During his state jury trial, Glenn testified in his own defense. According to Glenn, he carried firearms for protection because he sold drugs and it can be dangerous, and when he arrived at the teenager’s residence, Glenn was carrying a loaded firearm in his right pocket.  Glenn admitted under oath to shooting the teenager in the course of the drug deal.

Federal law prohibits convicted drug dealers from possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI Richmond Division, and Samuel Roman, Chief of Police for the City of Roanoke, made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Roanoke Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Coleman Adams and Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: United States Attorneys General 11

RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that United States District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, SD, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 10, 2023.

Shawn Hawley, 43, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hawley was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 26, 2023.

Between March 2021 and September 2022, Hawley conspired with Amos Torres and others to obtain methamphetamine for further distribution.  In that time frame, it was foreseeable to Hawley that between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine would be distributed in western South Dakota.  The methamphetamine was transported to South Dakota by the defendant or by others through arrangements with him. He then distributed the methamphetamine to others for use or further sales.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is  local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Hawley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Source: United States Attorneys General 12

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Ruckersville, Virginia man, who dealt heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl even after being incarcerated for his crimes, pled guilty today to dealing a fatal dose of fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm.

Michael Watkins Hayer, 41, waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty today to a two-count Information charging him with distribution of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“Fentanyl is everywhere.  Simply put, it is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.  In Virginia, the number of people dying from drug overdoses is at a record high.   If we want to prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths, we must take every opportunity to educate our communities about how dangerous it is.  Now more than ever, it is critical to hold accountable those who deal fatal doses thereby contributing to fentanyl’s staggering body count,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “I am grateful for the resolve of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, who sought to bring justice to those affected by this tragedy.”

“With this guilty plea, Mr. Hayer has finally accepted responsibility for his actions,” said FBI Richmond Acting Special Agent in Charge David C. Lewis.  “Fentanyl has the potential to kill just by contact and it is far too dangerous to be sold on the street.  We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and help prosecute those who distribute this dangerous substance.”

“We are always glad when a case involving an overdose is brought to justice and those responsible are held accountable,” Greene County Sheriff Steven S. Smith said today. “The Sherriff’s Office will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies and use every available tool to keep the citizens of Greene County safe.”

According to court documents, Hayer began selling fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine throughout both Greene and Albemarle Counties in 2019, as well as routinely traveling to North Carolina to purchase drugs by the “brick” for resale in Virginia.  Hayer used the term “brick” to refer to a package of 50 individual doses of fentanyl.

After a customer overdosed in front of him, Hayer began carrying Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, with him when he sold drugs.

On February 18, 2022, Hayer sold a half-brick of fentanyl to an individual who ingested the drug and later died of an overdose.  Although he left Greene County to avoid suspicion after this death occurred, Hayer was stopped by the Virginia State Police while speeding in Greene County in April 2022.  During the traffic stop, Virginia State Police searched Hayer’s vehicle where they discovered 95 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, three firearms, and multiple rounds of ammunition.  Hayer is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction.

While incarcerated at the Central Virginia Regional Jail from April 2022 through June 2022, Hayer continued to sell drugs by recruiting both a female relative as well as an ex-girlfriend and instructing them in how to engage in drug trafficking.

Specifically, Hayer told them where to go in North Carolina to meet his drug suppliers and where and who to sell drugs to in Greene County.

In addition, Hayer warned both women of the dangerous nature of fentanyl by telling them to not touch the drug without wearing gloves and to never use fentanyl themselves.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith and Sean Welsh are prosecuting the case.