Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | State Elected - Attorney General
Recent News About Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares
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Repeat Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearms Charges in Virginia
A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Identified as Errez Tekel Perry, 30, the individual was apprehended by law enforcement authorities following a search warrant executed on his residence. According to court documents, Perry attempted to evade arrest but was eventually taken into custody by authorities.During the search of Perry's residence, investigators discovered a significant amount of illegal substances and paraphernalia. The recovered items included firearms,... -
Recidivist Offender Sentenced for Firearm Possession in Virginia
A Richmond man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Brandon Stephon Brown, 31, was observed by Richmond Police Department detectives on March 22, 2023, approaching a breezeway in an apartment complex. Detectives saw a black handgun fall between Brown’s legs as he reached into his pants. The detectives detained Brown and recovered the loaded handgun, which was later found to be reported stolen."At the time, Brown had four previous felony convictions, including robbery involving a firearm in... -
Big Stone Gap Man Sentenced to Nearly 9 Years in Prison for Meth Possession
A Big Stone Gap, Virginia man, Joshua Derrick Ellis Vanover, has been sentenced to 107 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Vanover, 35, was found with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in his car after fleeing from police during a traffic stop."Vanover admitted he fled from police because he knew he was wanted, had drugs on him, and did not want to go back to jail," the court documents revealed.United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Craig B. Kailimai, Special... -
Attorney General Miyares Supports Texas' Right to Deport Illegal Immigrants
Attorney General Jason Miyares has expressed his support for a Texas law that allows for the deportation of illegal immigrants. In a statement, Attorney General Miyares highlighted the importance of addressing the immigration crisis, stating, “The immigration crisis has rendered every state a border state, and I swore an oath to safeguard Virginians.” He further questioned the lack of solutions to the public safety issues arising from illegal immigration, asking, “When will enough be enough?”The coalition supporting the Texas law includes 22 states, with Attorney General... -
Doctor Wendell Randall Sentenced for Prescription Fraud Scheme
Doctor Wendell Lewis Randall, 71, of Millers Creek, N.C., was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison for his involvement in a prescription fraud scheme using a DEA registration number issued to another person. Randall, who pled guilty to the charges in November 2023, allowed unqualified medical providers to use his credentials to prescribe Suboxone without actually seeing the patients.According to court documents, Randall was affiliated with L5 Medical Holdings, operating as Pain Care Center in several Virginia locations. Despite being assigned to the Woodlawn clinic,... -
Attorney General Miyares Announces Crime Reductions in Ceasefire Cities
Attorney General Jason Miyares announced new trends and reductions in crime in Virginia’s highest crime cities, targeted by Operation Ceasefire. Speaking at a press conference at the Slover Library in Norfolk, Miyares highlighted the success of the operation in addressing gun violence and promoting group violence intervention strategies.Miyares stated, "The goal of Operation Ceasefire was to decrease homicides in Virginia by 10%. After only a year of implementation, Virginia has a 17% decrease in murders, 10% decrease in rapes and a 3% decrease in robberies."In 2023, 12... -
Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Federal Firearms Offense in Richmond, Virginia
A Richmond man, Henry Leon Marrow, Jr, 34, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The incident occurred on June 9, 2023, when Marrow was observed conducting a narcotics transaction in a convenience store parking lot on Richmond Highway. Marrow was found in possession of cocaine and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, leading to his arrest."As a previously convicted felon, Marrow cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition," stated the authorities.Marrow, who has prior felony convictions, pleaded guilty on Nov. 9,... -
Attorney General Miyares Announces 19 Year Sentence for Violent Robbery
Attorney General Miyares announced a 19-year sentence for a violent robbery that took place in 2021. Speaking on the matter, Attorney General Miyares stated, “The Office of Attorney General is committed to assisting in the prosecution of violent offenders in every jurisdiction in the Commonwealth, and I commend the trial team for bringing a measure of justice to the victims in this case.”The sentencing was handed down by the King William County Circuit Court to Deonjay Pollard, who was involved in a robbery that resulted in an 18-year-old victim being paralyzed. Pollard... -
Attorney General Miyares Urges Biden Administration to Stop Funding Iran's Terror Network
Attorney General Miyares has urged the Biden Administration to stop funding Iran's terror networks, joining a 12-state coalition in a letter demanding the halt of funding after the Administration renewed a sanctions waiver allowing Iran access to $10 billion in frozen assets. Miyares expressed concern over the decision, stating, "The Biden Administration’s decision to grant Iran access to $10 billion in frozen assets is a dangerous move that will only serve to embolden the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism."The coalition of attorneys general, including Miyares,... -
Attorney General Miyares Urges U.S. Senate to Pass Laken Riley Act
Attorney General Miyares is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the Laken Riley Act, emphasizing the importance of the legislation in preventing future tragedies. Miyares expressed his belief in the necessity of the act, stating, “The Laken Riley Act is so common sense that it stuns me that this isn’t everyday practice.” He added, “Individuals who are here illegally and breaking our laws, endangering the safety of American citizens, should not be given additional chances. Laken Riley deserved better, and it’s up to us to ensure this sort of tragedy never happens again.”The... -
Attorney General Miyares Leads Coalition Defending Montana’s TikTok Law
Attorney General Jason Miyares, alongside 18 other states, has filed an amicus brief in support of Montana’s legislation aimed at requiring TikTok to separate from its parent company ByteDance. The legislation, which mirrors federal legislation that recently passed unanimously out of a House Committee, seeks to protect the data and privacy of Montanans.Speaking on the matter, Attorney General Miyares emphasized the importance of protecting citizens from foreign threats, stating, “Montana has the authority and responsibility to protect its citizens from foreign threats to... -
Attorney General Miyares and FTC Take Legal Action Against Sham Cancer Charity
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, alongside the Federal Trade Commission and nine other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women’s Cancer Fund, and its operator, Gregory B. Anderson. The complaint alleges that the sham charity deceived donors by claiming to support women battling cancer and their families financially, while in reality, only a small fraction of the donations went towards this cause.Miyares expressed his disappointment in the situation, stating, "Virginians are generous people.... -
Attorney General Miyares Urges Meta to Enhance Data Security Measures Against Scammers
Attorney General Miyares expressed concern over the recent surge in Facebook and Instagram account takeovers by scammers and frauds, urging Meta to review its data security practices. Miyares stated, "Protecting users’ accounts and personal information should be among the top priorities for social media giants like Meta. The rise in account takeovers is concerning and puts the privacy of nearly every American at risk."According to a coalition of 41 attorneys general, scammers can exploit account takeovers to steal personal information, read private messages, deceive the... -
Attorney General Miyares' Animal Law Unit Wins Possession of 71 Animals from the Natural Bridge Zoo
Attorney General Miyares announced that a jury granted Rockbridge County custody of 71 animals from the Natural Bridge Zoo after a six-day jury trial. The Attorney General's Animal Law Unit represented the County and secured the landmark verdict. Miyares expressed gratitude for the jury's deliberation and law enforcement partners' assistance in ensuring the animals' future welfare, stating, "Virginians support clean, safe environments for animals, whether they be personal pets or zoo animals."The Office of the Attorney General revealed that post-trial motions are... -
Attorney General Miyares Joins Coalition Demanding Instagram Stop Monetizing Child Exploitation
Attorney General Miyares demanded that Instagram stop monetizing child exploitation content and prohibit child-modeling accounts altogether. Miyares stated, "Meta’s negligence and lack of proper safeguards only aids and abets child exploitation. Even after Meta employees alerted leadership that its algorithms promoted images of minors to users who had demonstrated pedophilic or predatory interests on its platforms, the company failed to take any real action or ban the monetization of underage accounts."A recent article in The Wall Street Journal revealed that Meta's staff... -
Attorney General Miyares Announces Top 10 Consumer Complaints
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has revealed the top 10 consumer complaints received by his office, totaling 6,677 complaints in 2023. Miyares emphasized the importance of being cautious of suspicious offers and reporting any consumer concerns actively. He stated, "My Consumer Protection Section is committed to protecting consumers’ interests and upholding Virginia’s consumer protection laws."The Attorney General's office functions as the central hub for evaluating and referring consumer complaints in Virginia, handling a substantial number of calls from... -
Attorney General Miyares Challenges Biden Administration on Missing Migrant Children
Attorney General Jason Miyares has raised concerns about the treatment of missing migrant children by the federal government, urging for better collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities for the safety and welfare of these vulnerable minors. In a statement, Attorney General Miyares emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly, stating, “The missing migrant children are a serious emergency that is being ignored by the federal government. Vulnerable unaccompanied minors are being dropped off in our cities and counties, and local social services... -
Attorney General Miyares Demands Answers from Biden Administration on Trafficking of Migrant Children
Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with 21 other Attorneys General, has demanded answers from the Biden Administration regarding the trafficking of migrant children. In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, Miyares expressed grave concern over the recent report by the HHS Office of Inspector General revealing that unaccompanied migrant children are being released into unsafe situations, including human trafficking.Miyares emphasized... -
Attorney General Miyares Urges General Assembly to Maintain Limits on Sentence Credits
Attorney General Jason Miyares has urged the General Assembly to maintain limits on enhanced earned sentence credits in Virginia, citing alarming recidivism data. In a letter to the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate, Attorney General Miyares expressed concerns over allowing violent offenders to receive sentence reductions under the 2020 enhanced earned sentence credit law.In the letter, Attorney General Miyares emphasized the public safety risks and financial strains associated with cutting sentences for violent offenders. He stated, “Cutting sentences for... -
Attorney General Miyares Celebrates Victory Over NCAA
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares expressed his satisfaction with the recent triumph over the NCAA, stating, "Today's decision is a significant victory in our effort to protect Virginia's student-athletes from the NCAA's restrictive and unfair rules." Miyares emphasized the importance of granting student-athletes the freedom to negotiate and benefit from their skills and abilities, highlighting their substantial contribution to the college sports industry.Miyares criticized the NCAA for profiting off the hard work and talent of student-athletes, stating,...