Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
A North Carolina resident has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute parafluorofentanyl and fentanyl. The sentencing took place in Richmond, Virginia.
Court documents reveal that on September 17, 2023, Jaron James Starkey, aged 35 and from Charlotte, was driving erratically on I-95 in Caroline County. His behavior prompted other drivers to contact emergency services. Upon arrival, Virginia State Police found Starkey had crashed his vehicle. He was alone in the car and appeared disoriented with bloodshot eyes. Starkey was subsequently taken to Mary Washington Hospital for medical evaluation.
Police officers discovered thousands of glassine baggies scattered throughout Starkey's vehicle. These baggies contained a white powder substance later identified as Parafluorofentanyl and fentanyl. A total of 4,497 blue glassine baggies containing Parafluorofentanyl were collected, weighing over 122 grams. Additionally, there were 120 white glassine baggies containing fentanyl.
Starkey has a criminal history with 21 prior convictions as an adult. His record includes two previous drug trafficking convictions, illegal possession of firearms as a convicted felon, and conspiracy to commit burglary.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Lt. Colonel Matt Hanley, Virginia State Police Interim Superintendent; and Brian Layton, Chief of Fredericksburg Police after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson delivered the sentence.
The investigation received assistance from the Fredericksburg Regional Narcotics Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea.
Further details can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 3:24-cr-58.
