Warrenton Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A drug dealer who operated in Fauquier County pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Justin Chrisp, 28, of Warrenton, sold at least half a gram of heroin every day beginning in March 2012. During this time period, at least four of Chrisp’s customers overdosed after using the drugs. Only after medical intervention by law enforcement officers responding to the scenes of these overdoses did several of these customers regain consciousness.

Chrisp pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison when sentenced on October 20. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, and Robert P. Mosier, Fauquier County Sheriff, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobias D. Tobler 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-163.