Richmond Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

RICHMOND, Va. – Marcus Freeman, 29, of Richmond, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Freeman was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Freeman pleaded guilty on June 1. According to court documents, on Dec. 3, 2015, law enforcement officers observed a dark-colored Nissan disregard a stop sign. The officers initiated a traffic stop, and asked Freeman to exit the vehicle and noticed that he appeared nervous and began to move his right hand toward the center console. Freeman was ordered to show his hands and he complied and placed both hands on the steering wheel before, again, moving his right hand toward the center console. One of the officers gained control of Freeman’s left arm and pulled him out of the vehicle.  While being pulled out of the vehicle Freeman was still attempting to reach into the vehicle near the center console. Once the officers removed him from the vehicle, they placed him into investigative detention, and performed a protective sweep of the vehicle near the center console finding semi-automatic pistol, with a 30 round magazine.  Freeman, a previously convicted felon, was a prohibited person and subsequently placed under arrest. On the driver’s side floor board, two large rolls of cash were recovered totaling over $10,000. A digital scale with a powdery residue was also recovered from the cup holder in the center console. A canine officer alerted to Freeman as having the odor of narcotics coming from his person. An X-Ray conducted at a hospital revealed that Freeman had a foreign object in his rectum.  Lab reports later confirmed the object to be a package of approximately 15 grams of heroin. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony prosecuted the case.

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. 3:16-cr-21.