NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
John L. Brownlee United States Attorney Jo Brooks Media Contact |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2250 FAX (540) 857-2180 |
January 23, 2008
BRISTOL MAN AND WOMAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CRACK COCAINE CONSPIRACY
United States Attorney John L. Brownlee announced today that AMANZA JAMES POLLINO a/k/a “Jiggy”, age 27, and AMBER MARIE LAWS, age 19, both of Bristol, Virginia, were sentenced to a combined total of fifteen years in prison in Abingdon, Virginia, by United States District Judge James P. Jones for charges relating to the distribution of crack cocaine. POLLINO and LAWS were both previously found guilty by a jury of the charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine. POLLINO, who had a prior conviction for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to serve ten years in prison, and LAWS was sentenced to serve five years in prison. Additionally, each defendant was ordered to serve eight years of supervised release after their release from prison.
According to evidence presented at trial by Assistant United States Attorney, Zachary Lee, POLLINO, who had been released from state prison in January 2007 after serving five years for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, was stopped by officers with the Bristol, Virginia Police Department on April 12, 2007, for driving on a suspended license. Officers discovered 2.3 grams of crack cocaine in a container made to look like a soda can that was found in the car. Additionally, officers found $528.00 in cash on POLLINO’S person. On June 20, 2007, officers with the Bristol, Virginia Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence of POLLINO and LAWS, located at 213 Gate City Highway, Bristol, Virginia. Officers with the Vice-Narcotics Unit found 9.5 grams of crack cocaine, marijuana, scales, and other items associated with the distribution of narcotics.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bristol, Virginia Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit and the Bristol Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee of the United States Attorney’s Office in Abingdon prosecuted the case.