Norfolk Man Faces More Prison Time

NORFOLK, Va. – Lawrence Leo Hawkins, Jr., 35, of Norfolk, Va., was convicted today by a federal jury of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

Hawkins faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on July 17, 2014.       

Hawkins was previously indicted on December 19, 2012.   According to court records and evidence at trial, the police executed a search warrant at a residence in Norfolk based on the robbery of a cellphone.  GPS indicated that the cellphone was located in or near that residence.  While conducting a search regarding the robbery, the police found significant quantities of cocaine, quantities of heroin, three guns, packaging material, grinders, sieves, scales and other drug related materials.  Several forms of the defendant’s identification were found with these items.  The defendant, who was present at the location, was placed under arrest.  A key found in the defendant’s pocket opened a safe that contained cocaine, heroin, and two firearms.  The robbery of the cellphone was conducted by the son of the defendant’s girlfriend who lived at the residence.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney William D. Muhr is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.