Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A pair of men involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia. Eric Lee Coffey, 49, from Lexington, North Carolina, received a 70-month sentence, while Daniel Hafemeister, 42, from Roanoke, Virginia, was sentenced to 46 months.
Coffey admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Hafemeister pleaded guilty to similar charges involving over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl.
Court documents reveal that Coffey and Hafemeister collaborated with Bradley Chester, Cody Rose, James Gamble, Thomas Houston Jr., and others in the distribution operation. Coffey played a significant role as a major distributor within the group. Together with other co-conspirators, they pooled funds and made multiple trips to North Carolina to acquire large quantities of drugs for redistribution in Wise County.
Earlier this year, other members involved were also sentenced: Gamble received 151 months; Chester got 84 months; Rose was sentenced to 49 months; and Houston received a sentence of 72 months.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee alongside Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was investigated by the ATF along with the Southwest Drug Task Force and Wise County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher led the prosecution.
