Virginia Beach Man Charged With Distribution Of Heroin

NORFOLK, Va. – Stephen Ron Martin II, 20, of Virginia Beach, Va., was charged with distribution of heroin resulting in death in a criminal complaint that was filed on April 21, 2014 and unsealed today.
Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger,   U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, and Police Chief Jim A. Cervera, Virginia Beach Police Department, made the announcement.

Martin faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.     

According to the criminal complaint, on October 27, 2013, Martin distributed heroin to Steven Bradley Nichols.  On October 29, 2013, Virginia Beach Police found an unresponsive Nichols while they were conducting a well-being check that had been called into 9-1-1.  Police also found evidence of recent heroin use in plain view inside Nichols’ apartment.  A depressed syringe was found on top of a desk within an arm’s length of Nichols’ body.  A needle mark was on Nichols’ arm.  Two plastic bags, one of which was open, containing off-white powder were found on the kitchen counter.  The bags were later tested and found to contain heroin.  An autopsy confirmed that Nichols had ingested heroin and subsequently died as a result of acute heroin intoxication. 

This case was investigated by HSI Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Darryl Mitchell is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.   

Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.