Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug crime. 

According to court documents, Curtis Talley, 38, who has 13 prior felony convictions, many of which are for prior probation violations, was found with distribution amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded gun when Norfolk police officers arrested him on earlier warrants.  

“Armed drug dealers are responsible for much violence plaguing our communities,” said G. Zachery Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to seek out and prosecute cases against this dangerous class of repeat offenders.”

“ATF’s primary mission is to protect America’s neighborhoods from violent crime,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division. “We are focused on stopping offenders who perpetrate violence by trafficking drugs and carrying firearms and will use all of our resources to bring them to justice.”

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bosse and Joseph E. DePadilla 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 are 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-114.

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