Career offenders sentenced to prison for meth trafficking and illegally possessing firearms

NORFOLK, Va. - Two Norfolk men were sentenced for drug-trafficking and firearms convictions.

According to court documents, in December 2023, law enforcement conducted a controlled drug purchase from Javou Jameil Smith, 43, at the residence of Brian Ricardo Hinton, 41, in Norfolk. During the controlled purchase, Smith sold 452 grams of methamphetamine and was in possession of a firearm. Hinton was also present during the controlled purchase.

On Dec. 13, 2023, Chesapeake Police executed a search warrant at Smith's residence. Smith, who was subject to active arrest warrants in Virginia Beach, attempted to flee and was apprehended after a short pursuit. Investigators searched Smith and recovered 6.05 grams of meth and approximately 1 gram of fentanyl individually packaged for sale. During the search of Smith's residence, investigators recovered 57 packets containing fentanyl; five tablets containing fentanyl and Xylazine; five tablets containing para-fluorofentanyl, cocaine, and fentanyl; a loaded firearm; digital scales; and materials for the packaging and distribution of drugs.

Police also executed a second search warrant at Hinton's residence. Investigators located a safe that contained a loaded firearm magazine, a bag with 118 multi-colored tablets containing meth, and a bag containing 13.9 grams of meth. In the same room, investigators found 29 bags of meth. Ten of the 29 bags were tested and confirmed to be 278 grams of meth, with the untested remainder totaling 533.34 grams. Investigators also recovered a firearm, ammunition, packaging materials, and digital scales.

Smith pled guilty on June 14 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 5, he was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison.

Hinton pled guilty on June 17 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 13 he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Office, prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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 Nos. 2:24-cr-49 (Hinton) and 2:24-cr-51 (Smith).