Press Release
Man Sentenced to Prison for Selling Drugs and Possessing a Firearm
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Prosecuting armed drug traffickers is a top priority,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Together with our law enforcement partners we are targeting areas where firearms and the drug trade are fueling violence and endangering the safety of those communities. We are committed to our mission of public safety and will continue to aggressively pursue those who choose to endanger the safety of the communities we serve.”
According to court documents, on April 29, 2016, John Paul Alarcon, 31, was stopped by the Virginia Beach Police and law enforcement subsequently discovered a concealed, loaded firearm in his car. The police also discovered 3.4 grams of Methamphetamine and approximately $3,500 in cash. During the execution of a search warrant at Alarcon’s home in Virginia Beach, police discovered 9.6 grams of Methamphetamine, Psilocyn, Amphetamine tablets, Fentanyl tablets, a tablet containing a Heroin and Fentanyl mixture, Oxymorphone, and approximately $2,000 in cash.
“Methamphetamine destroys people and communities,” said Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk. “HSI, along with our partners at the Virginia Beach Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are committed to keeping this dangerous drug out of Hampton Roads.”
Over a year later and while on bond from the Virginia Beach General District Court, law enforcement encountered Alarcon at the Military Circle Mall, and seized a bag containing a loaded firearm, 2.9 grams of Methamphetamine, 7.9 grams of Cocaine, Alarcon’s wallet and $1,195 in cash.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Norfolk, Eric Shen, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. 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 is 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-9.
Contact
Joshua Stueve
Director of Communications
joshua.stueve@usdoj.gov
Updated August 2, 2018
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Violent Crime
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