Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today that a Portsmouth man has been sentenced to 50 months in prison after being found guilty of illegally possessing two firearms, narcotics, and narcotics paraphernalia in a busy residential area near downtown Portsmouth. The case was prosecuted as part of Attorney General Miyares' Operation Ceasefire initiative, which aims to combat violent gun crime through rigorous prosecution and effective community prevention.
"This sentencing is a victory for Virginia and a warning to those who seek to destroy our communities with harmful drugs and illicit firearms," said Attorney General Miyares. "I'm proud of our Ceasefire prosecution team and remain committed to working hand-in-hand with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure violent criminals remain off our streets."
The investigation leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the defendant, Danny Marcus Collins, began on March 16, 2023. Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were assisting the Portsmouth Police Department in apprehending Collins, who was wanted on two state summonses. During surveillance, Collins was observed meeting with multiple individuals and engaging in hand-to-hand transactions from his vehicle.
Upon noticing the presence of law enforcement, Collins attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. A narcotics sweep of his vehicle conducted by a Portsmouth police narcotics K9 resulted in a positive alert. Subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 27 grams of cocaine, 8.3 grams of crack cocaine, 2 grams of cocaine, and 7.5 grams of suspected marijuana. In addition, two firearms, one of which was loaded, $1,183 in cash, packaging material, ammunition, and a digital scale were seized.
Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Miller, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Cheney, prosecuted the case.
This successful sentencing highlights the commitment of the Commonwealth of Virginia and its law enforcement agencies to ensuring the safety and well-being of its communities. Operation Ceasefire continues to make significant strides in removing violent criminals and illegal firearms from the streets, ultimately making Virginia a safer place for its residents.
The Office of the Attorney General, under the leadership of Jason Miyares, remains dedicated to fighting crime, prosecuting offenders, and working collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners to maintain law and order in the Commonwealth.
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For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2670-january-11-2024-operation-ceasefire-secures-50-month-sentence-for-portsmouth-man-over-drug-and-firearm-offenses