Fredericksburg Man Sentenced to Six Years for Dealing Fentanyl

RICHMOND, Va. – A Fredericksburg man was sentenced today to six and a half years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

“Illicit fentanyl is killing people every day,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Here, Codynah was not content simply to distribute poison, but endangered additional lives by shooting fentanyl while driving and losing control of his vehicle. We are in a fight for the lives of Virginians. We must remain vigilant in our enforcement efforts, continue to raise awareness in our communities, educate our children on the dangers of opioids, and work across the entire suite of law enforcement efforts to keep fentanyl specifically and opioids in general from hitting the streets.”

According to court documents, Keevon Lujack Codynah, 28, wrecked his car last Fourth of July after using fentanyl and losing consciousness. First responders at the scene of the crash located hypodermic needles and syringes in and around the defendant’s car. After being flown to the hospital for medical treatment, hospital staff located additional hypodermic needles and 38 capsules that each contained fentanyl on Codynah, that he was delivering to another individual for resale Over the course of Codynah’s involvement, he distributed more than 40 grams of fentanyl.      

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-159.