NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Julia C. Dudley Acting United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
July 9, 2008
ROANOKE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS FIVE YEARS FOR COCAINE DISTRIBUTION
Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced that Nyron Joel Nichols, age 31, of Roanoke, Virginia was sentenced today in United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke to serve life in prison, plus five years for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine powder and cocaine base.
“For years, Mr. Nichols was an armed drug dealer who preyed on the people of the Roanoke Valley by importing and selling large quantities of cocaine. The sentence imposed by the court should stand as a warning to others who engage in this illegal conduct,” Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “I am grateful to all the men and women who worked on this case and have taken another dangerous drug dealer off our streets.”
Following a two-day jury trial in December of 2007, Nichols was found guilty on seven drug and gun related counts. He was found guilty of one count of conspiring to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing more than 50 grams of cocaine base, three counts of distributing a measurable quantity of cocaine powder, three counts of distributing more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At today’s hearing, Nichols received two sentencing enhancements that played a role in his sentence. The first enhancement was for acting as a supervisor in a drug conspiracy. Nichols also received an obstruction of justice enhancement after it was determined that he had attempted to persuade people to give false testimony to the court that would benefit him.
In addition to the term of incarceration of life in prison, plus five years, Nichols was sentenced to five years of supervised release should he ever be released from prison. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,500 and a special assessment of $700. Furthermore, Nichols will be required to forfeit to the United States the following items: $13,500 in United States currency; one 2003 GMC Yukon Denali; one 1993 Cadillac and one 42" Hitachi plasma screen television.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Roanoke City Police Department and the Roanoke County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Bassford prosecuted the case for the United States.