Conspiracy Trafficked Crystal Methamphetamine in Smyth County
Abingdon, VIRGINIA - A Saltville, Va., man, convicted of trafficking a large quantity of methamphetamine in Smyth County, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 72 months in prison, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced today.
Zachary Blue Carter, 38, was sentenced yesterday to serve 72 months in federal prison. Carter previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin, and one count of maintaining a place for the purpose of distributing or using a controlled substance.
“Crystal methamphetamine and heroin are highly addictive drugs that have destroyed countless lives in Southwest Virginia," United States Attorney Cullen stated today. “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners, including the Virginia Attorney General’s office, to target individuals and organizations responsible for bringing these deadly substances into our communities and holding them accountable."
“Overdose deaths from dangerous drugs now surpass fatalities from car crashes each year. This sad statistic underscores our continued dedication to collaborate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and federal, state, and local law enforcement to crack down on those who transport dangerous drugs into Southwest Virginia for distribution," Virginia Attorney General Herring said today. “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners and will continue to aggressively prosecute those who endanger the lives of our citizens."
According to court records and evidence presented at previous hearings by Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, Carter engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy from April 1, 2016, through April 11, 2017. Court documents demonstrate that the conspiracy involved over 50 grams of crystal ice methamphetamine, with over 953 grams of methamphetamine and over 125 grams of heroin seized from Carter’s apartment on April 11, 2017. Carter distributed methamphetamine from his Saltville apartment. Six undercover purchases of methamphetamine from Carter were also conducted by the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office and Saltville Police Department at Carter’s residence.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Saltville Police Department investigated the case. The Virginia State Police assisted with Carter’s arrest and consent search of his apartment. Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case for the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
