NORFOLK, Va. - Deric Jevon Twitty, 38, of Portsmouth, was sentenced today to 324 months in prison for his role in a multi-year conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana up and down the east coast. Twitty was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $3.37 million, which represents the proceeds of the offense.
Twitty pleaded guilty on July 12, 2016. According to court documents, he was involved with a Mexican drug cartel and operated an extensive drug operation over the course of two years that distributed wholesale amounts of heroin, marijuana, and cocaine up and down the east coast including cities like Philadelphia, New York City, Charlotte, and all throughout Hampton Roads. He used at least two co-conspirators to insulate himself from the risks associated with narcotics trafficking. One co-conspirator, working on behalf of Twitty, made nearly $300,000 in cash deposits into 22 accounts in just six months. These accounts, some of which originated in Metamoros, and Nogales, Mexico were often emptied within 24 hours of receiving the funds.
Special agents from the DEA arrested the defendant on May 3, 2016, and recovered 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, over a quarter kilogram of heroin and marijuana, a stolen Glock 21 semi-automatic firearm, several cellular telephones, a money counter, and $18,745 in cash.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Boente thanks the Portsmouth Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-79.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
