Two More Sentenced for Roles in Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Conspiracy

ABINGDON, Va. – A pair of men who conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia were sentenced last week to decades in federal prison.

Eric Lee Coffey, 49, of Lexington, North Carolina was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison. Daniel Hafemeister, 42, of Roanoke, Virginia was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

Coffey previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Hafemeister pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Coffey and Hafemeister conspired with Bradley Chester, Cody Rose, James Gamble, Thomas Houston Jr., and others, to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia.

Coffey was a major distributor for the conspiracy. Coffey and Hafemeister pooled thousands of dollars with other co-conspirators and made at-least eight trips in total to North Carolina to obtain “bricks” containing at least one pound of methamphetamine and anywhere from two ounces to one pound of fentanyl per trip. The drugs were then redistributed to customers in Wise County.

In April, co-conspirator Gamble was sentenced to 151 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.  Bradley Chester was sentenced to 84 months and Cody Rose to 49 months for their roles in the conspiracy. Early this year, Houston was sentenced to 72 months.

Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.