Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted three Virginia men today for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy and an incident that led to the deaths of two victims.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Cortney Allen Conley, aka KO and Allen Conley, 35, of Virginia Beach, managed a large-scale, interstate drug trafficking organization principally based in the Hampton Roads area between January 2020 and November 2022. The organization frequently sold drugs at “popup” shops, which regularly popped up in new locations. In addition to other duties, Javaid Akhtar Reed, 27, of Chesapeake, and Kyron Speller, 29, of Norfolk, provided security for the organization’s popup shops.
In 2021, Conley was robbed at gunpoint at a “popup” located on Providence Road in Chesapeake, after which Conley and his co-conspirators were regularly armed.
On May 13, 2022, two armed subjects attempted to rob the organization’s popup shop on Wintercress Way in Chesapeake. Conley and one of his workers discharged firearms during a gun battle resulting in the deaths of the two subjects. During the gun battle, another worker pistol-whipped one of the subjects. Immediately afterward, Conley and the two workers removed controlled substances, drug proceeds, and firearms from the popup shop.
Conley was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and continuing a criminal enterprise. He faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on Oct. 25.
Reed was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 15.
Speller was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 25.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Montoya, Joe DePadilla, and Luke Bresnahan are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-147.
