Eleven individuals from Virginia have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization linked to a double homicide in Chesapeake. A twelfth person is awaiting sentencing.
Court records and trial evidence revealed that between January 2020 and November 2022, Cortney Allen Conley, also known as KO, led a large-scale drug trafficking operation based mainly in the Hampton Roads area. The group sold drugs at "pop-up" shops, which frequently changed locations to evade law enforcement.
In 2021, Conley was robbed at gunpoint at one of these pop-ups on Providence Road in Chesapeake. Following this incident, Conley and his associates began carrying weapons while dealing drugs. In July 2021, an attempted robbery occurred at another pop-up shop where workers Javaid Akhtar Reed and Aaron Butler Hunter defended the drugs and proceeds. Reed confronted the robber with a firearm.
On May 13, 2022, two armed individuals tried to rob another pop-up on Wintercress Way in Chesapeake. Conley and Rashaun Marcquez Johnson shot and killed them during the encounter. Davian Marcelis Jenkins assaulted one of the robbers as he lay dying. Bullets from the shootout hit a child's play kitchen in a nearby apartment. Afterward, Conley and Jenkins removed drugs, money, and firearms from the scene before fleeing. Jenkins returned later to remove security cameras under Conley's direction.
Conley was arrested on November 8, 2022, at another pop-up he had set up after fleeing following the double homicide. During his arrest in Virginia Beach, he attempted to escape by jumping from a second-story window.
Following a ten-day jury trial ending on April 15, 2024, Conley was convicted of several charges including continuing criminal enterprise and possession with intent to distribute various substances. He received a sentence of 40 years.
Other sentences handed down include:
- Javaid Akhtar Reed: Sentenced on December 23, 2024 - 14 years and three months.
- Corey Melic Blackwell: Sentenced on July 12, 2024 - 13 years.
- Aaron Hunter: Sentenced on September 26, 2024 - Ten years.
- Kasheim Bryant: Sentenced on October 31, 2024 - Seven years.
- Amadeo Ilan Classen: Sentenced on November 7, 2024 - Ten years.
- Davian Marcelis Jenkins: Sentenced on November 7, 2024 - Four years.
- Jeron D’Nell Cephus: Sentenced on July 22, 2024 - Three years and six months.
- Kyron Speller: Sentenced on October 25, 2024 - Three years and five months.
- Lateya Conley: Sentenced on September 25, 2024 - Three years.
- Jasmine Deneen Cuffee: Sentenced on October 31 of the same year – One year and three months.
Johnson's sentencing is scheduled for February 21st next year.
The announcement was made by Erik S. Siebert of the U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia along with other officials after U.S District Judge Arenda Wright Allen delivered her ruling.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Megan M Montoya Joe DePadilla Luke Bresnahan prosecuted this case successfully bringing justice through rigorous legal proceedings against those involved within this criminal network whose actions resulted not only significant harm but loss life too due illegal activities conducted across state lines involving dangerous narcotics weapons exchanges among others
Further details about related court documents can be accessed via websites provided or PACER using Case No.:2 :22-cr147