ABINGDON, Va. – A Martinsville man, who possessed crystal ice methamphetamine and cocaine valued at more than $35,000, was found guilty last week following a three-day jury trial in federal court.
Octavius Myron Johnson, 39, was convicted of one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, in addition to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine.
According to evidence presented at trial, in early 2023, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Johnson’s drug trafficking activities in the Glade Spring area of Washington County. Their investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Johnson’s Martinsville residence, where over a half pound of crystal ice methamphetamine—totaling 9.7 ounces—and 83.5 grams of cocaine were recovered. Cash totaling $3,800 and other items related to drug trafficking were also seized.
Johnson is scheduled for sentencing on January 17, 2023, where he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum statutory penalty of up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Jared Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division made the announcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Holston River Regional Drug Task Force, with assistance from numerous agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsville Police Department, the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly McGann prosecuted the case.
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