Richmond recidivist sentenced to seven years in prison for latest drug offense

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.

According to court documents, On Aug. 18, 2024, Richmond police observed Ernest Winfred Mealey, 30, with what appeared to be a firearm. Mealey and another individual began walking away from the officers. The officers approached Mealy and asked if he had a firearm, which he denied. When asked if he had a concealed weapons permit, Mealey did not respond, then attempted to flee.

The officers pursued and tackled Mealey, at which point a firearm fell from Mealey’s shirt. Mealey also had a bag, from which officers recovered $1,696, a digital scale, 48.14 grams of fentanyl, and 28.17 grams of cocaine.

Mealey has seven prior felony convictions, including for drug and firearms offenses.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Colette Wallace McEachin, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Groover, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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. 3:25-cr-7.