Leader of Methamphetamine Distribution Ring Sentenced to 30 Years

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his role in leading a multi-year, multi-state methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

According to court documents, Malik Dillard, a/k/a “Mayo,” 47, used out-of-state methamphetamine suppliers to import bulk packages of nearly pure methamphetamine (98.6% purity) to Virginia through the U.S. Postal Service. Dillard employed a network of sub-dealers to scale and expand his methamphetamine operation across the Hampton Roads region over multiple years.

Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. As cited in court documents and according to the Virginia Department of Health’s Chief Medical Examiner, overdose deaths caused by methamphetamine skyrocketed 9,500% in Virginia from 2007 to 2022 and continue to rise. Unlike other drugs, like heroin or fentanyl, there are no approved medications effective at treating methamphetamine addiction—there is no methadone equivalent for methamphetamine.

This is the defendant’s 15^th criminal conviction and third federal conviction. In 2009, he was sentenced in Richmond for his role in leading a conspiracy involving 16 bank robberies across seven states in 75 days—which started just one week after he was released from prison. In 2003, he was sentenced in the Northern District of Georgia for his role in leading a conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler and Anthony Mozzi prosecuted the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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. 2:23-cr-65.