Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to 20 Years and Ten Months in Prison for Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death

NORFOLK, Va. – Stephen Ron Martin II, 21, of Virginia Beach, was sentenced today to 250 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of heroin resulting in death.
United States Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.; and Police Chief Jim A. Cervera, Virginia Beach Police Department, made the announcement after Martin was sentenced by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson of the Eastern District of Virginia.

Martin pled guilty on October 10, 2014.  According to court documents, on October 27, 2013, Martin distributed heroin to Steven Bradley Nichols.  On October 29, 2013, Virginia Beach Police found an unresponsive Nichols while they were conducting a well-being check that had been called into 9-1-1.  Police also found evidence of recent heroin use in plain view inside Nichols’ apartment.  A depressed syringe was found on top of a desk within an arm’s length of Nichols’ body.  A needle mark was on Nichols’ arm.  An open plastic bag containing an off-white powder was found on the kitchen counter.  The substance was later tested and found to contain heroin.  An autopsy confirmed that Nichols had injected heroin and subsequently died as a result of acute heroin intoxication.

This case was investigated by HSI Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
           
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:14-cr-78.