NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A federal jury convicted a Hampton man and woman yesterday on charges of cocaine distribution.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Marcus Troy Moody, 30, and Latoya Patrice Carter, 29, were stopped by Newport News police in December 2018 after committing multiple traffic infractions. A subsequent lawful search of Moody, Carter, and their vehicle yielded two loaded semi-automatic handguns, including one with an extended magazine; an additional loaded magazine; a digital scale with narcotics residue; narcotics packaging material; approximately 80 grams of cocaine; and approximately $4,000 in cash.
Moody and Carter face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on November 14. 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.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Taylor prosecuted 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 are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:19-cr-51.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
