Richmond Man Pleads Guilty to Dealing Heroin Mixed with Fentanyl

RICHMOND, Va. – Paris Moore, 32, of Richmond, pleaded guilty today to distributing approximately 400 grams of heroin in the central Virginia area.

“When drug traffickers seek to increase their profit margins by mixing deadly synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, with traditional street drugs, the risk of overdose skyrockets,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “That is precisely why investigating and prosecuting offenses involving the trafficking of this poison is a top priority in this district.”

According to court documents, on two separate occasions in January 2018, DEA agents used a confidential source to purchase nearly ten grams of heroin, mixed with detectable amounts of fentanyl, from Moore in Henrico County and Richmond. Following these controlled purchases, on February 22, 2018, DEA agents executed a search warrant at Moore’s Glen Allen, Va. residence, where they recovered approximately 2.4 grams of crack cocaine, .88 grams of heroin mixed with a detectable amount of fentanyl, and a digital scale.

As part of his plea, Moore pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of heroin and admitted to distributing the equivalent of 400 grams of heroin. At the time of these offenses, Moore was on federal supervised release after a 2009 conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

“Moore has repeatedly shown his disregard for the well-being of his community with his drug-dealing activities,” said Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for DEA’s Washington Field Division. “DEA will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to bring to justice the most dangerous offenders who are responsible for fueling the ongoing opioid epidemic in our communities.”

Moore faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on November 30, 2018. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for DEA’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert is prosecuting the case.

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. 3:18-cr-71.