Career Criminal Sentenced to 30 Years for Heroin and Gun Crimes

RICHMOND, Va. – Elbrendel Edwards, 42, of Richmond, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

Edwards pleaded guilty on July 22. According to court documents, Edwards distributed approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 6 kilograms of heroin into the Richmond community in the one-year period leading up to his April 18 arrest.  Court documents also indicate that some of the heroin Edwards distributed led to multiple overdoses.  In addition to distributing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin, Edwards was in possession of three firearms: A Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun; a Taurus .22 caliber revolver which he traded for with heroin; and a Raven Arms .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  In April law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at two residences used by Edwards and recovered heroin, drug packaging materials, and the three firearms. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Colonel Thierry Dupuis, Chesterfield County Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller prosecuted the case.

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 No. 3:16-cr-64.