Eleven Virginia residents have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a violent drug trafficking organization linked to a double homicide in Chesapeake. A twelfth defendant is awaiting sentencing.

Court records and trial evidence revealed that between January 2020 and November 2022, Cortney Allen Conley, known as KO, operated a large-scale interstate drug trafficking operation based primarily in the Hampton Roads area. The organization used "pop-up" shops to sell drugs at varying locations to evade law enforcement.

In 2021, Conley was robbed at gunpoint during one of these pop-ups on Providence Road in Chesapeake. Following this incident, Conley and his associates began carrying weapons while conducting drug transactions. In July 2021, an attempted robbery at another pop-up led Javaid Akhtar Reed and Aaron Butler Hunter to defend Conley's drugs with firearms.

On May 13, 2022, two armed individuals tried to rob the organization's pop-up on Wintercress Way in Chesapeake. During this attempt, Conley and Rashaun Marcquez Johnson shot and killed the would-be robbers. Davian Marcelis Jenkins also assaulted one of the subjects during the altercation. Afterward, Conley instructed Jenkins to remove security cameras from the scene before fleeing.

Conley was apprehended on November 8, 2022, in Virginia Beach after trying to escape from police by jumping out of a second-story window during his arrest at another pop-up he established post-homicide.

Following a ten-day jury trial on April 15, 2024, Conley along with Reed and Kyron Speller were convicted for their roles within the organization. Conley's charges included continuing criminal enterprise; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm related to drug trafficking crimes. He received a sentence of 40 years imprisonment.

The sentences for other members are as follows:

- Javaid Akhtar Reed: Sentenced December 23, 2024 - 14 years and three months.

- Corey Melic Blackwell: Sentenced July 12, 2024 - 13 years.

- Aaron Hunter: Sentenced September 26, 2024 - ten years.

- Kasheim Bryant: Sentenced October 31, 2024 - seven years.

- Amadeo Ilan Classen: Sentenced November 7, 2024 - ten years.

- Davian Marcelis Jenkins: Sentenced November 7, 2024 - four years.

- Jeron D’Nell Cephus: Sentenced July 22, 2024 - three years and six months.

- Kyron Speller: Sentenced October 25, 2024 - three years and five months.

- Lateya Conley: Sentenced September 25,  3years

- Jasmine Deneen Cuffee: Sentence imposed October 31st of last year was one year plus an additional three-month period

Johnson's sentencing is scheduled for February 21st next year (i.e., February twenty-first two thousand twenty-five).

Erik S Siebert U.S Attorney Eastern District Virginia alongside Michael Feinberg Acting Special Agent Charge FBI Norfolk Field Office Damon E Wood Inspector Charge Washington Division US Postal Inspection Service Mark G Solesky Chief Chesapeake Police Paul Neudigate Chief Virginia Beach Police announced post-sentencing presided over U.S District Judge Arenda Wright Allen Assistant U.S Attorneys Megan M Montoya Joe DePadilla Luke Bresnahan prosecuted case press release copy website U.S Attorney’s Office Eastern District Virginia Related court documents information located website District Court Eastern District Virginia PACER search Case No.:2 :22-cr–147 ###