Virginia Police Arrest 5 People in Connection with Heroin Distribution
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office arrested five individuals for various Virginia drug crimes in connection with distributing heroin, according to an article by NBC affiliate WVIR.
These arrests and charges came in the wake of a search warrant, executed by sheriff’s deputies in Stanardsville on May 4th. In the process, the deputies arrested five people — four men between 23 and 34 years old and one 20-year-old female.
Following these arrests, the authorities charged these five individuals with the following drug crimes:
- Conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I/II controlled substance;
- Possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance; and
- Possession of marijuana.
Each of these five individuals will have a court date to determine the next steps in their respective legal cases. In the meantime, it feels appropriate to review Virginia laws and penalties for all of the aforementioned drug crimes.
Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance
Under Code of Virginia Section 18.2-256, it is illegal to conspire with other people to commit drug crimes. Even if the group of conspirators are unsuccessful in carrying out the drug crime in question, it is still a crime, and the offenders in question will face criminal charges for the crime they attempted to commit.
In the present news story, the offenders allegedly conspired to distribute heroin, which is a Schedule I controlled substance under Virginia law. As described in Code of Virginia Section 18.2-248, it is unlawful to distribute or manufacture, or to intend to distribute or manufacture, Schedule I/II controlled substances.
Any person who violates Section 18.2-248, with respect to a Schedule I/II controlled substance, is guilty of a felony. If convicted, the maximum sentence includes 40 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance
Under Code of Virginia Section 18.2-250, it is unlawful to knowingly possess a controlled substance. But Virginia law does provide narrow exceptions for approved uses, mostly in medical or research contexts.
Any person who violates Section 18.2-250 by possessing a Schedule I/II controlled substance, such as heroin, is guilty of a Class 5 felony. If convicted, the maximum sentence includes 10 years in prison and up to $2,500 in fines.
Possession of Marijuana
Under Code of Virginia Section 18.2-250.1, it is unlawful to knowingly possess marijuana. Though Virginia law does carve out exceptions for medical use under stringent conditions. Outside of those approved exceptions, it is unlawful to possess marijuana in Virginia.
Any person who violates Section 18.2-250.1 the first time is guilty of a misdemeanor offense. If convicted, the maximum sentence includes 30 days in jail and fines up to $500.
Any person who violates Section 18.2-250.1 a second or subsequent time is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor offense. If convicted, the maximum sentence includes 12 months in jail and fines up to $2,500.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you need legal help with Virginia drug crime charges, it can be tremendously productive to consult with a skilled criminal defense lawyer. The Leesburg drug crimes lawyers at Simms Showers LLP have the skill and experience needed to defend against various drug crimes. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Resource:
nbc29.com/2020/05/05/greene-co-sheriffs-office-makes-multiple-arrests-drug-investigation/
