RICHMOND, Va. – Five North Side residents have been sentenced on federal drug charges.
The convicted men, three of them related to one another, faced various heroin, crack cocaine and firearm charges.
According to court documents and statements made at the sentencings, each of the defendants admitted to being involved in a conspiracy for several months in 2014 to sell either crack cocaine or heroin. Many of the sales occurred at the Montrose Avenue residence.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21 Christopher Canty, 33, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of heroin from his family home on Montrose Avenue.
Canty was the last of five men sentenced for drug trafficking and/or firearms offenses related to activities at and around the residence on Montrose Avenue.
Chawn Beale, 21, a half-brother to Canty, was sentenced on Jan.15 to 15 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of crack cocaine.
Corey Beale, 25, also a half-brother to Canty, was sentenced on Jan. 15 to 90 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, arising out of the sale of a firearm from the Montrose Avenue residence.
Quintrell Smith, 19, was sentenced on Jan.16 to 37 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of crack cocaine.
Corey Mayo, 24, was sentenced on Jan. 16 to 151 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of crack cocaine.
The Richmond Police Department investigated the case along with the ATF.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and an ATF agent said after all men had been sentenced that according to a witness who testified, the neighborhood used to be a peaceful area, but over the last several years crime has increased, including shootings.
On May 28, 2014, there was a drive-by shooting at the Montrose Avenue residence. Information presented at sentencing indicated that the shootings in the area have decreased since the May arrests of the defendants.
