A significant disruption to the drug trade in Southwest Virginia occurred this week as a major supplier and two related dealers received lengthy federal prison sentences. Bradley Mitchell Chester, 39, from Pound, Virginia, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. Chester had previously pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute substantial quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
In addition, Matthew Addington, 41, and Michael Hicks, 36, also from Pound, Virginia, were sentenced for their roles in distributing these drugs. Addington received a sentence of 60 months imprisonment while Hicks was sentenced to 36 months.
Court documents revealed that Chester operated as a primary supplier of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Wise County from March 2023 to March 2024. He regularly traveled with co-conspirators to North Carolina and Kentucky to procure large amounts of these substances for distribution. Chester supplied Addington, Hicks, and others who then redistributed the drugs locally.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee alongside Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was investigated by the ATF along with the Southwest Drug Task Force and Wise County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.