A Martinsville, Virginia man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine. Octavius Myron Johnson, 39, was found guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine after a jury trial in October 2023.
Attorney General Jason Miyares praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in bringing Johnson to justice. He stated, "Thanks to the dedicated work of our law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, this drug trafficker will have to face the consequences of his actions in federal prison."
The investigation into Johnson's drug trafficking activities began in early 2023 in the Glade Spring area of Washington County. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Johnson's residence in Martinsville, where they discovered a significant amount of drugs. A total of 9.7 ounces of crystal ice methamphetamine and 83.5 grams of cocaine were recovered, along with $3,800 in cash and other items related to drug trafficking.
The collaborative effort of several agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the Holston River Regional Drug Task Force, led to the successful prosecution of Johnson. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly McGann handled the case.
This sentencing serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Virginia. Attorney General Miyares, United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, and Jared Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington Division, made the announcement.
The Office of the Attorney General in Virginia encourages individuals to report any instances of drug trafficking or related crimes through their hotline numbers. In addition, there are programs in place to protect victims and to report fraud in Medicaid and Medicare.
As the community continues to work together to address drug-related issues, cases like this highlight the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. The successful prosecution of Octavius Myron Johnson sends a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Virginia.