Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for distributing heroin mixed with fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“Walker had enough fentanyl for a lethal dose for about 13,620 people,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Distributing this deadly narcotic into the community would have placed many lives in extreme grave danger if they came in contact with this dangerous substance. Investigating and prosecuting heroin and fentanyl trafficking crimes is a top priority of this office as we continue to battle this deadly epidemic. I want to thank our investigative partners at ATF for their terrific work on this important case.”

According to court documents, Taron D. Walker, trafficked heroin and fentanyl throughout Portsmouth. Overall, Walker distributed 1.5 kilograms of heroin, over 13.5 kilograms of marijuana, 500 grams of cocaine, 27 grams of fentanyl, and about two grams of amphetamine.

Walker also conspired to straw-purchase firearms. As a felon prohibited from purchasing guns himself, Walker used his brother to buy guns for him. Walker’s decision to involve his brother in a criminal conspiracy exposed his brother to federal gun charges as well.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Comstock and 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-22.

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