Richmond Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

RICHMOND, Va. – Maulana Rashada Harrison, aka Bah, 32, of Richmond, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for distributing heroin and being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Harrison pleaded guilty on May 11, 2015, to two counts of an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin, and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  According to the statement of facts filed with the court, on Oct. 10, 2014, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Harrison’s residence in Richmond. While clearing the apartment, officers observed a bag containing individually knotted baggy corners containing approximately 3.8 grams of heroin. Numerous additional items were also recovered during the search of the residence, including: a 9mm semi-automatic pistol; 8 rounds of 9 mm ammunition; a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol with and obliterated serial number; 8 rounds of .38 ammunition; and two digital scales.  Harrison was arrested immediately following the search.  Both firearms and the ammunition had previously been shipped on interstate commerce.  At the time of his arrest, Harrison was advised of his rights, waived his rights, and admitted that all of the heroin and firearms located inside the residence belonged to him.

Harrison was sentenced to 180 months on the drug charge, and 60 months on the firearm charge. Those sentences will run consecutively, bringing the total prison time to 20 years. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Ray J. Tarasovic, Chief of City of Richmond Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

This case was investigated by the Richmond Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. David Schiller 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. 3:15-cr-48.

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