Five North Side Residents Sentenced On Drug And Firearm Related Charges

RICHMOND, Va. – Christopher Canty, 33, of Richmond, Virginia was sentenced today to 27 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for distribution of heroin from his family home on Montrose Avenue.  Canty was the last of five men sentenced for drug trafficking and/or firearms offenses arising out of activities at and around the residence on Montrose Avenue.

Chawn Beale, 21, a half-brother to Canty, was sentenced on January 15, 2015 to 15 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty on October 15, 2014 to distribution of crack cocaine; Corey Beale, 25, also a half-brother to Canty, was sentenced on January 15, 2015 to 90 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty on October 16, 2014 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, arising out of the sale of a firearm from the Montrose Avenue residence; Quintrell Smith, 19, was sentenced on January 16, 2015 to 37 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty on October 20, 2014 to distribution of crack cocaine; and  Corey Mayo, 24, who was determined to be a career offender, was sentenced on January 16, 2015 to 151 months’ imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty on October 20, 2014, to distribution of crack cocaine. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the sentencings by U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer.

According to court documents and statements made at the sentencings, each of the defendants admitted to being involved in a conspiracy for several months in 2014 to sell either crack cocaine or heroin.  Many of the sales occurred at the Montrose Avenue residence.   Additionally, Corey Beale admitted selling two firearms during the course of this conspiracy.  Mayo also admitted to possessing a firearm during the course of this conspiracy, which was recovered by law enforcement officers on May 30, 2014.  According to a witness who testified today, that neighborhood used to be a peaceful area, but over the last several years crime has increased, including shootings.  On May 28, 2014, there was a drive-by shooting at the Montrose Avenue residence.  However, information presented at sentencing indicated that the shootings in the area have decreased since the May arrests of the defendants. 

This case was investigated by ATF and the Richmond Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted 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.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:14-cr-81 and 3:14-cr-83.

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