Press Release
Two Defendants Convicted in Major Drug Conspiracy
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia
Defendants Trafficked Crystal Ice and Other Drugs into Virginia from Georgia
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – Two members of a drug distribution organization that trafficked methamphetamine, heroin, oxycodone, cocaine, and other drugs from Georgia into Southwest Virginia were recently found guilty following a five-day jury trial in federal court on drug conspiracy charges, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced.
Roy Lee Dykes, 51, of Watkinsville, Ga., formerly of Big Stone Gap, Va., was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in addition to cocaine, heroin, alprazolam, and oxycodone. Dykes was also convicted of 17 counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances on a number of specific dates. At sentencing, Dykes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum statutory penalty of up to life in prison and/or a fine of up to $10 million.
Leila Varetta “Rita” Hector-Dykes, 57, of Watkinsville, Ga., was also convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in addition to cocaine, heroin, alprazolam, and oxycodone. Hector-Dykes was also convicted of one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. At sentencing, Hector-Dykes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum statutory penalty of up to life in prison and/or a fine of up to $10 million.
“Methamphetamine trafficking is currently the greatest threat to public safety in far Southwest Virginia,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “We will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to identify individuals responsible for distributing large quantities of this deadly substance and put them in federal prison.”
“This organization trafficked large amounts of crystal ice into Southwest Virginia. We appreciate the partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement to crack down on those who transport dangerous drugs into the Commonwealth for distribution,” Virginia Attorney General Herring said today. “Reducing the availability of crystal methamphetamine and other drugs in Southwest Virginia is a high priority for my office. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners and will continue to aggressively prosecute those who endanger the lives of our citizens.”
In all, 11 individuals were charged as part of this drug trafficking conspiracy. All 11 defendants have now been convicted. Dykes and Hector-Dykes are scheduled for sentencing on December 19, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, these defendants conspired to traffic a variety of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, morphine, oxycodone, and alprazolam, from sources in Watkinsville, Georgia, into Southwest Virginia for redistribution. The organization operated primarily in Lee and Wise counties from November 2016 through March 1, 2018. Arrests on March 1, 2018, resulted in the seizure of approximately 11 ounces of crystal ice methamphetamine, in addition to heroin, cocaine, morphine, and oxycodone, with an estimated street value of $28,000. Currency totaling approximately $14,000 was also seized from the defendants on that day.
The investigation stemmed from another drug trafficking conspiracy arising out of Lee County, Virginia, involving seven defendants, all of whom have been convicted and sentenced. Another four defendants, including Dykes and Hector-Dykes’ sources of supply, were also identified and prosecuted during the course of these investigations. In total, these investigations have led to the successful prosecution of 22 defendants and removed a conservative estimate of 3.5 pounds of crystal ice methamphetamine from the supply chain in Southwest Virginia.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Numerous agencies assisted with search warrant executions and arrests on March 1, 2018, to include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Big Stone Gap Police Department, Lee, Wise, and Scott County Sheriff’s Departments, City of Norton Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals. Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Kari Munro prosecuted this case at trial for the United States.
Updated September 24, 2019
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component