Jury Convicts Richmond Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine Trafficker

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Richmond man today for possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

“Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, unfortunately continue to play a disproportionate role in drug overdoses and overdose deaths, inflicting devastation on families across the United States and in EDVA,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who continue the fight to keep these lethal substances out of our communities and away from harming our loved ones.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in May 2019, law enforcement initiated an investigation into certain heroin and cocaine trafficking activities in the Richmond metropolitan area. On September 26, 2019, a warrant was issued for the residence of Fernardo Lee Jordan, 67. Inside his home in Richmond, law enforcement agents discovered bags containing brown and white substances and $18,560 in U.S. currency. Agents also found a scale and packaging material, among other items associated with drug trafficking. The substances were later determined to be over a quarter of a kilogram of a mixture and substance containing heroin and fentanyl, over a quarter of a kilogram of cocaine powder, and several ounces of heroin, with a combined street value of over $40,000.

Jordan was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances including over 100 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, a quantity of heroin, and a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride. Jordan faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison when sentenced on May 20. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division; and Colonel Jeffrey S. Katz, Chesterfield County Police Department, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman is prosecuting 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. 3:20-cr-31.