NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Hampton man on expenses of conspiracy, drug and firearm expenses.
In response to court docket information and proof introduced at trial, on November 15, 2021, Jonathan C. Lengthy, 39, of Hampton, was arrested for failing to look on a federal supervised launch violation. A search of the residence that had been leased by his then girlfriend, now spouse, revealed distribution portions of fentanyl, cocaine base, lots of of vials for distribution to customers, 5 cell telephones, and three firearms, together with an assault rifle. Over 100 rounds of ammunition have been additionally positioned that included armor piercing and hole level bullets. A further cellphone and spherical of ammunition have been positioned in one other residence beforehand utilized by Lengthy. Proof extracted from cell telephones and jail communications revealed the scope of Lengthy’s drug dealing, his efforts to keep away from apprehension by legislation enforcement from April via November 2021, and his location throughout this time. One of many firearms recovered had been bought for Lengthy, who was a prohibited individual as a convicted felon, in April 2021, by one in every of his drug addict clients from a pawn store in Hampton.
Lengthy was convicted of all 5 counts within the indictment, together with drug conspiracy, possession of over 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and sustaining a drug premises. He faces a compulsory minimal time period of 35 years in jail when sentenced on April 24, 2023. A federal district court docket choose will decide any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Pointers and different statutory elements.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI’s Norfolk Discipline Workplace; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Hampton Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Choose Roderick C. Younger accepted the decision.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian J. Samuels and Julie Podlesni and Particular Assistant U.S. Legal professional Grace H. Bowen are prosecuting the case.
This investigation was additionally performed by the FBI’s Peninsula Secure Streets Process Drive, a partnership that features the FBI, Virginia State Police, Hampton Police Division, James Metropolis County Police Division, Newport Information Police Division, and United States Postal Inspection Service. This activity power investigates essentially the most violent felony enterprises working on the Virginia Peninsula. Ideas relating to gang exercise and different violent crimes within the area might be reported to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or www.fbi.gov/tips.
A replica of this press launch is positioned on the web site of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Japanese District of Virginia. Associated court docket paperwork and knowledge are positioned on the web site of the District Court for the Japanese District of Virginia or on PACER by looking for Case No. 4:22-cr-37.