NORFOLK, Va. - Benitez Auguarius Moody, 34, of Portsmouth, was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of drug distribution and possession of multiple firearms.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Moody distributed crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in Portsmouth from the summer of 2015 through March 2016. Moody was arrested on Aug. 10, 2016, after the Portsmouth Police Department conducted a series of controlled buys of heroin with Moody and executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search, law enforcement recovered 97 grams of crack cocaine, two grams of heroin and fentanyl mixture, four firearms (two special revolvers and two semi-automatic pistols), and $4,000 in cash.
The jury found Moody guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Moody faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison, when he is sentenced on Sept. 20, 2017. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Tonya D. Chapman, Chief of Portsmouth Police Department, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherrie Capotosto is prosecuting 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. 2:16-cr-124.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
