New York cocaine trafficker sentenced to six years in prison

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A New York man was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, on March 28 law enforcement in Accomack County conducted a traffic stop on John Valentin, 49, of the Bronx, for failing to maintain his lane. During the stop, a K-9 officer alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Investigators searched the vehicle and located a hidden compartment underneath the back seat. From that compartment, investigators recovered packages containing a total of 4.5 kilograms of cocaine.

Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt prosecuted the case.

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. 4:26-cr-30.