A Norfolk man, Eric Joseph McGinnis, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearm possession. McGinnis, aged 44, was involved in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug activities.

Court documents reveal that since November 2022, McGinnis supplied drugs to a co-conspirator. On July 28, 2023, law enforcement conducted searches at his residence and business, EJM Enterprise, both located in Norfolk. The search led to the seizure of 17 firearms—two of which were personally manufactured—and a significant quantity of drugs including 17 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Additional substances found included 1.2 kilograms of marijuana, 1.5 kilograms of psilocyn, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, half a kilogram of fentanyl mixed with Xylazine or para-fluorofentanyl, along with various capsules and tablets containing controlled substances like Oxycodone.

As a convicted felon, McGinnis is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Following the searches, he instructed his girlfriend to destroy or hide evidence crucial to the investigation.

The sentencing announcement was made by Jessica D. Aber from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jarod Forget from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division; Kai Wah Chan from Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C.; Ramin Fatehi from Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Mark Talbot from Norfolk Police after U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes delivered the sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve.

For more information on this case or related court documents visit the websites for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or access PACER using Case No. 2:24-cr-72.