Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A significant development occurred last week in the fight against methamphetamine distribution in Southwest Virginia, as a major supplier and two related dealers received substantial federal prison sentences. The judgments are seen as a significant disruption to the regional drug trade.
Ashley Linden Beverly, Jr., a 51-year-old from Pound, Virginia, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. He also faced charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Two additional offenders, Cody Rose, 36, and Brandon Boggs, 35, who dealt methamphetamine and fentanyl, were sentenced concurrently. Boggs received a 108-month sentence, while Rose was sentenced to 49 months.
Court documents revealed Beverly's role as a primary methamphetamine supplier in the Wise County area, reportedly distributing more than five kilograms from May 2022 to November 2022. Beverly integrated firearms into his drug operations, with witnesses frequently observing handguns at his residence where he conducted most of his drug sales. Beverly also exchanged methamphetamine for firearms, some of which were reportedly stolen, earning him the nickname "the gun guy" in Pound, Virginia.
Beverly was identified as a supplier to Boggs, who then supplied Rose, who further distributed the drugs. Moreover, Rose and Boggs were involved in a separate conspiracy dealing with the distribution of fentanyl brought into Southwest Virginia from neighboring North Carolina and Kentucky. Additional co-conspirators are expected to be sentenced later this month.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was investigated by the ATF, the Southwest Drug Task Force, and the Wise County Sheriff's Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuting the case.
