Suffolk Man Sentenced for Distribution of Heroin

NORFOLK, Va. – Garth Salkey, 65, of Suffolk, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Salkey pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2015. According to court documents, from the summer of 2012 through May 2015, Salkey conspired with his son, Christopher, to distribute heroin in Suffolk and Portsmouth. Garth Salkey, who has been convicted of drug crimes on three prior occasions, received a significant quantity of heroin from his supplier on a regular basis.  Garth Salkey would then add chemical cutting agents to the heroin, cap the drug into capsules, sell the capsules from two residences he owned and other locations, and collect drug proceeds.  Garth Salkey recruited his son and others to help him in these activities.

According to court documents, four controlled purchases were made at Salkey’s Suffolk residence in April and May of 2015.  Based on the controlled purchases, the Suffolk Police Department and federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant on May 20, 2015, at Salkey’s residence in Suffolk.  Law enforcement recovered a quantity of heroin and packaging material used for distribution. During the execution of the search warrant, Salkey threw about an ounce of heroin out of his bedroom window in an attempt to hide it from law enforcement.  Additionally, agents also discovered a sophisticated marijuana grow operation with 129 marijuana plants belonging to Salkey’s son.  During the course of the conspiracy it is estimated that Salkey and his son distributed at least eight kilograms of heroin, while Garth Salkey was personally responsible for more than four kilograms of heroin. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Muhr and V. Kathleen Dougherty 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. 2:15-cr-146.