Luray Man Sentenced for Tampering with Evidence in Drug Overdose Case

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jason Gregory Colley, 36, of Luray, was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for tampering with evidence for moving the body of a drug overdose victim. Colley was also ordered to pay $17,175.70 in restitution to the family of Jason Laytham, who died of a drug overdose, to cover funeral expenses.

Colley pleaded guilty on July 22, 2015.  According to court documents, on or about Sept. 12, 2014, Colley sold cocaine to Laytham, formerly of Leesburg, and another individual at an extended stay hotel in Ashburn. After using an additional quantity of drugs, Laytham and the other individual became unconscious. Colley dragged Laytham’s body out of the hotel suite (which Colley had rented using his own name) into a common area of the hotel before calling for paramedics. When law enforcement officers arrived the other individual was unconscious in Colley’s hotel suite. While the other individual survived, Laytham died from the adverse effects of cocaine and other substances.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael L. Chapman, Loudon County Sheriff; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobias D. Tobler and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Ben’Ary 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. 1:15-cr-203.

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