Newport News Man Convicted of Receiving Cocaine Parcel in Mail

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Newport News man yesterday of possession of two kilograms of cocaine that he received in the mail.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, James Arthur Scott, 33, waited in a parking lot in Hampton for more than an hour and a half to take personal delivery of a parcel from California to be delivered to “Lit Wick.” Prior to delivery, law enforcement agents had intercepted the parcel at a UPS facility in Newport News. Further inspection of the parcel revealed two shoeboxes inside several layers of packaging. The shoeboxes were filled with wax. Inside the wax was a kilogram of cocaine, one in each shoebox, totaling two kilograms of cocaine.

A controlled delivery of the two shoeboxes was conducted, and Scott was identified in a rental car waiting for the delivery. Scott accepted delivery of the parcel and placed it in his vehicle. A vehicle takedown was conducted and the parcel containing two kilograms of cocaine was found on Scott’s front seat. UPS identified Scott as receiving at least four other deliveries in the same parking lot for packages to be delivered to “Lit Wick.”

Scott was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years in prison when sentenced on June 4. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; and Jimmie Wideman, Chief of Hampton Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Heath and Eric M. Hurt are prosecuting the case.

Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.

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. 4:23-cr-79.