Heroin Dealer Sentenced In Connection With Three Overdose Deaths

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Eugene Asomani Williams, also known as “Shine,” 35, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm in furtherance of this offense.  At least three individuals died in Fairfax County, Va. as a result of heroin distributed by Williams.

Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after Williams was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

“Williams peddled a dangerous drug and inflicted untold damage to the victims, their families, and our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Boente.  “This case exemplifies the cooperative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement to combat this pernicious crime.”

Williams pleaded guilty on Jan. 22, 2014 to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Williams admitted to distributing more than one kilogram of heroin in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia between 2004 and Sept. 26, 2013.  Williams also admitted that Joshua Pearson, 33, of Fairfax County, Va.; Timothy Huffman, 23, an active duty soldier at Fort Belvoir; and Kara Schachinger, 22, of Fairfax County, Va. all died as a result of their use of heroin distributed by the defendant.

“I have heard firsthand from families about the devastation brought by the loss of a loved one in this wave of heroin-related deaths, and about the strain placed on law enforcement and healthcare professionals as they work to respond to it,” said Attorney General Herring.  “Education, prevention and treatment will play a major part in dealing with this emerging threat, but I will also ensure that my office is doing all it can to keep these dangerous drugs, and those who distribute them, off the streets.”

“Today’s sentencing of Eugene Williams closes the book on a drug trafficker who was responsible for trafficking heroin that led to the death of three individuals in Fairfax County, VA,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division. “Heroin is a drug that destroys lives, and tragically sometimes takes them. This case clearly demonstrates DEA’s commitment, by working with our law enforcement partners, to stop drug traffickers who profit from the harm (in this case deadly harm), they present to our community,” stated Colder.

"Fairfax County is safer today thanks to the robust partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement" said Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police. "Today’s sentencing is proof positive these partnerships work against drug traffickers and others who set up criminal enterprises in our region."

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Washington Field Division and the Fairfax County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Julia Martinez and Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.