Pair Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl, Meth, and Cocaine and from Florida

ABINGDON, Va. - A pair of men from Southwest Virginia, who regularly drove to Florida and brought fentanyl, cocaine, and kilograms of methamphetamine back into the Commonwealth for redistribution, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

Terry Brandon Watson, 41, of Atkins, Virginia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Marcus Hunter Moran, 30, of Marion, Virginia, was previously sentenced to five years in federal prison. Both men previously pled guilty to charges related to that conduct.

"This office will aggressively pursue those who target our citizens with fentanyl, methamphetamine and other narcotics," First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. "I applaud the work of the FBI and the Smyth County Sheriff's Office in helping ensure accountability in this case."

According to court documents, in February 2025 the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that Watson and Moran were regularly traveling from Smyth County, Virginia to Florida to pick up controlled substances to sell in the Western District of Virginia.

Beginning on March 15, 2025, law enforcement began tracking Watson and Moran's car as the pair traveled to Florida to pick up a load of illegal drugs. The following day, law enforcement stopped Moran and Watson as they returned from Florida. Moran was driving and Watson was in the passenger seat. Officers found two pounds of methamphetamine in the passenger compartment, along with two ounces of fentanyl and an ounce of powdered cocaine.

The investigation showed that Moran and Watson had traveled from the Western District to Florida at least four times to pick up methamphetamine and other drugs. Each time, Moran drove the vehicle for Watson. On other occasions, Watson used other drivers to make the trip.

First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Smyth County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case.