A Hampton man was sentenced on July 23 to five years and eight months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Court documents show that on September 4, 2025, Damion Chesson, 29, was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle during a traffic stop. Chesson told law enforcement he did not have identification and provided a false name along with an incomplete social security number. Officers observed a bag between Chesson’s legs.
A K9 unit alerted officers to narcotics inside the vehicle. During their search, investigators found the bag containing a loaded handgun, digital scale, and narcotics packaging material. Officers also recovered $1,135.03 from Chesson’s left front pocket and 25.54 grams of cocaine from his right front pocket.
Chesson was arrested on January 2 after being federally indicted for the September offense. At the time of arrest, he had another loaded handgun and 15.76 grams of cocaine in his possession.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, announced the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes following assistance from Virginia State Police and Hampton Police Division.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.