Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to nearly nine years in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine and possessing, using, and carrying a firearm.

According to court documents, Charles Ervin Livermon, 23, a previously convicted felon, sold heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and at least three guns to an undercover officer in a series of controlled purchases. On three occasions, Livermon sold the officer a deadly cocktail of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Other times, he used co-conspirators to negotiate the deals with the undercover officer. Officers later executed a warrant on his home and recovered heroin mixed with fentanyl, 450 grams of marijuana, and his personal firearm.

The case is part of Operation Sand Dragon, a joint operation lead by the Norfolk Police Department with assistance from the DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Chesapeake Police Department.  After an eight-month-long investigation, law enforcement arrested 44 suspects for their roles in distributing drugs. Twelve of the suspects were involved in gang activity, which was a major focus of the investigation. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered roughly 11 ounces of heroin, 3 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of marijuana, 24 ecstasy pills, and 9 grams of methamphetamine. The total street value of the drugs was over $190,000. Law enforcement also recovered 12 firearms and over $85,000 in cash.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of a renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, and Colonel K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney William B. Jackson prosecuted 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. 2:18-cr-28.