Los Angeles Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Drug Trafficker Sentenced

RICHMOND, Va. – A Los Angeles, California, man was sentenced today to 13 years in prison for distributing over 50 grams of fentanyl and over 800 grams of methamphetamine in the Central Virginia region.

According to court documents, Mesuron Taylor, 38, plead guilty to one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. On two separate occasions in May 2022, Taylor distributed a total of 59 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating source working for law enforcement in Richmond. During both distributions, Taylor, a previously-convicted felon, illegally possessed within his residence a Glock, Model 36; .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and a Ceska Zbrokovka, Model CZ97, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. On June 1, 2022, DEA and Richmond Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence in the City of Richmond and recovered the two firearms, United States currency, and cutting agents.

As part of the conduct in this case, Taylor was also held responsible for his role in brokering the distribution of 843 grams of methamphetamine to a law enforcement cooperating source in September 2020. During that drug transaction, Taylor agreed to supply a large amount of methamphetamine to the cooperating source located in the Charlottesville area. Upon agreeing to supply the cocaine, Taylor arranged for a courier to transport 843 grams of methamphetamine from Richmond to the Charlottesville area. On September 3, 2020, law enforcement interdicted Taylor’s drug courier in Stuarts Draft, and recovered 843 grams of methamphetamine. Following the methamphetamine seizure, Taylor contacted the cooperating source asking details about the law enforcement interdiction, demanded payment for the seized methamphetamine, and discussed potential future drug deals.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Rick Edwards, Interim Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik S. Siebert and Stephen Anthony prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, Operation Overdrive. 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. 3:22-cr-86.