Portsmouth felon sentenced to six years in prison for federal drug and firearm charges

NORFOLK, Va. - A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to six years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on Jan. 2, 2025, law enforcement officers observed Jerrod Demonte Vines, 41, in a vehicle in Portsmouth. The officers recognized Vines, who had an outstanding arrest warrant against him. As Vines exited the vehicle, the officers approached and called out his name, at which point Vines attempted to reenter the vehicle. The officers arrested Vines on the outstanding warrant.

During a search of Vines, the officers found narcotics in his pants pocket, including 1.24 grams of cocaine; 1.4452 grams of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and xylazine; and a total of over 14 grams of heroin, fentanyl, and xylazine. Officers also recovered over $400 in cash from Vines and a loaded handgun that was in plain sight in the vehicle.

Vines has previous convictions for possession of cocaine, driving under the influence, contempt of court, assault, driving with a suspended license, disorderly conduct, false identification to law enforcement, larceny, destruction of property, and obstruction of justice. As a previously convicted felon, Vines cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division. made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Wirt prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-57.