Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes

RICHMOND, Va. – A Westmoreland man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy, including conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Terrell Sylvester Johnson, 28, conspired with others to traffic over 1000 grams of heroin and over 400 grams of fentanyl over the last two years. During the course of the conspiracy, Johnson sold quantities of heroin ranging from gram to ounce quantities and allowed his residence in Colonial Beach to be used to distribute, use and store heroin and fentanyl. Also during the course of the conspiracy, Johnson possessed a number of firearms, which he was prohibited from doing because he had previously been convicted of a felony crime.

Johnson is the last in a line of others involved in this conspiracy to be sentenced.  The others include: Lawrence Buckner, 37, of King George, sentenced to eight years on October 27; Jeffrey Dudley, 26, of Colonial Beach, sentenced to seven years on October 27; Clifton Howdershelt, 54, of King George, sentenced to 11 years on November 13; and Edward Shupe, 47, of King George, sentenced to 11 years on October 20.

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 W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after the sentencings by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:17-cr-54, 55, and 57.