Wise County Man to Serve 15 Years on Narcotics and Illegal Firearms Charges

ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise County, Virginia man, who trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison.

James Edward Williams, 43, pled guilty in February 2025 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine and fentanyl have had devastating consequences on Southwest Virginia. This defendant contributed to that devastation by trafficking large quantities of these drugs into the region,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “Today’s sentence reflects the commitment of this office to aggressively prosecute those who poison our communities for profit.”

According to court documents, on two occasions in April 2024, Williams sold confidential informants approximately 41 grams of methamphetamine from his Wise County residence. In July 2024, Williams and another individual were involved in a single-car vehicle accident. Upon a search of the surrounding area, and the vehicle Williams was driving, police found a black back containing a loaded handgun, approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine, two baggies of green plant material, and two metal smoking devices.

Two weeks later, after leaving a known drug house in Wise County, Williams was pulled over and failed a standard sobriety test. A search of Williams’ person revealed a small plastic baggy containing methamphetamine. In his vehicle, officers found approximately 44 grams of methamphetamine and three lock boxes, each containing a pistol. Officers also found an illegal silencer and a plastic bag containing fentanyl and/or xylazine.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen.

The case was investigated by the Southwest Drug Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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