Man Sentenced for Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to over 19 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.

According to court documents, in September 2018, Dante Jermel Davis, 40, was the subject of a court-authorized surveillance of his telephone communications by law enforcement. Law enforcement heard a series of phone conversations concerning the imminent delivery of controlled substances by another party to Davis. The investigators detained Rawl Christopher Stennett after he was seen carrying a backpack and entering the lobby of an apartment building in downtown Norfolk, where Davis’ maintained a “stash” apartment. The investigators discovered five kilograms of cocaine inside Stennett’s backpack. The agents then detained Davis’ outside his “stash” apartment. Pursuant to a search warrant, the agents searched Davis’ apartment and discovered approximately 397 grams of heroin, 14 grams of cocaine, over $160,000 in cash, two digital scales, and a money counting machine. The investigators also searched Davis’ other residence in Virginia Beach, and discovered $100,000 in cash, a Glock 9mm pistol, ammunition, marijuana, and another money-counting machine. Davis has a previous conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute from 2010.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jim Stitzel, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; Jim O’Sullivan, Chesapeake Sheriff; and Michael A. Moore, Portsmouth Sheriff, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell 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. 2:18-cr-158-3.