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 |
June 13, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH MAN INDICTED FOR CONSPIRING TO POSSESS AND DISTRIBUTE COCAINE AND CRACK COCAINE
Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Kelvin Freeman, age 45, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Charlottesville, Virginia on Wednesday on charges related to a conspiracy to possess and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine throughout the Western District of Virginia.
“Taking drugs off our streets and out of reach of our children and neighbors is one of the most important tasks we as a law enforcement community is charged with,” Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “I am grateful that this investigation has brought charges against a large-scale dealer in cocaine powder and crack cocaine.”
Freeman was charged in a one-count indictment with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine powder and crack cocaine. The conspiracy involved the distribution of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and more than five kilograms of cocaine powder.
Included in the indictment returned this week is one count of asset forfeiture. The forfeiture allegation states that upon conviction of one or more of the felony offenses he has been charged with, Freeman will forfeit to the United States, items included but not limited to: not less than $2 million in United States currency; one acre of property located on Route 650 in the County of Northampton, Virginia; and certain shares of Capital Stock of Reliant Bank, held in the name of Kelvin Freeman and/or Kelvin Freeman Jr.
If convicted on all counts, the maximum penalty faced by the defendant is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $4 million.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police for the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Virginia. Special Assistant United States Attorney Ron Huber is prosecuting the case.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.