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Date: 01-15-2018
Case Style:
United States of America v. Kenneth Stuart, a/k/a "Bones"
Eastern District of Virginia Federal Courthouse - Norfolk, Virginia
Case Number: 2:17-cr-61
Judge: 2:17-cr-00061-RAJ-LRL
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Chesapeake County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: John F. Butler, Daniel T. Young, William D. Muhr, and Andrew C. Bosse
Defendant's Attorney: Emily Munn
Description: Norfolk, VA - “King of Death” Supplier Pleads Guilty, Faces Mandatory Life Sentence
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to leading and supplying a heroin and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that resulted in more than a dozen overdoses and at least two deaths.
Kenneth Stuart, aka “Bones,” 43, of Newark, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison when sentenced on April 24, 2018.
According to court documents, Stuart served as the out-of-state source of supply for a Virginia based heroin and fentanyl drug distribution ring led by Chesapeake ringleader, Erskine Dawson, Jr. aka “June,” “Junior.” From March to December 2016, Stuart supplied between three and ten kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, which equates to approximately 7,500 to 25,000 individual doses. The narcotics, which were often concealed in stuffed animals, were trafficked by Stuart and several others at his direction from New Jersey to Virginia. The heroin and fentanyl was distributed in wax baggies stamped “King of Death,” “Last Call,” “Mad Max,” and “Chef Curry,” among many others. Stuart informed his co-conspirators about new labels and his desire to have them promoted.
Stuart was aware that at least two Virginians died from his fentanyl and that several others had suffered non-fatal overdoses. After hearing of at least one fentanyl death, Stuart told a co-conspirator that “another one bit the dust” yet instructed two co-defendants to continue selling his product.
On Sept. 7, 2016, H.D. consumed fentanyl supplied by Dawson via Stuart and co-conspirator Clark and suffered a fatal overdose. On Nov. 14, 2016, G.M. consumed heroin supplied by Dawson via Stuart and co-conspirator Clark and suffered a fatal overdose. On Dec. 8, 2016, the DEA in partnership with officers from the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake police departments executed search warrants on motels in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk, made arrests, and seized cash, guns, and over 1,800 wax baggies of heroin and fentanyl.
Eight people involved with this trafficking organization were indicted and as of today, all eight have pleaded guilty. Four of those federal defendants have been sentenced to a combined 70 years in prison.
Outcome: Guilty
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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