Norfolk fentanyl dealer sentenced to over 21 years in prison for selling drug mixture that resulted in an overdose death

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced yesterday to 21 years and 10 months in prison for selling fentanyl to a woman resulting in her death.

According to court documents, on July 14, 2022, a victim, identified as J.L., contacted Jason Jermaine Warren, aka Cuzzo, 47, for drugs and a ride to a nearby CVS in Chesapeake. Warren provided a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and Xylazine to J.L. After visiting the CVS, J.L. returned to her hotel room with Warren. J.L. and Warren later left the room, and J.L. soon returned to the room alone.

On July 15, 2022, Chesapeake Police Department (CPD) responding to a report of a suspected drug overdose found J.L. deceased in her room. Officers recovered narcotics, drug paraphernalia, a cellphone, and various personal effects belonging to J.L. Among the narcotics and paraphernalia were a plastic bag containing heroin and fentanyl, a bag containing heroin, fentanyl, and Xylazine residue, and a straw with heroin and fentanyl residue.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner's Report of Investigation states that J.L.'s cause of death was acute fentanyl and heroin toxicity.

Warren was advised of J.L.'s death and continued to distribute drugs. On Aug. 2, 2022, Warren distributed 2.30 grams of a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, and Xylazine to a confidential informant in Norfolk. On Aug. 9, 2022, Warren distributed 3.15 grams of a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, and Xylazine to a confidential informant in Norfolk.

On Aug. 14, 2022, law enforcement arrested Warren, who was in possession of 2.43 grams of a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, and Xylazine. On Aug. 19, 2022, investigators searched Warren’s residence and recovered pill bottles with Warren's name on them, multiple bags containing firearms and ammunition, and a bag containing drug paraphernalia.

On Jan. 10, Warrant pled guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Cheney and Kristin G. Bird 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 No. 2:23-cr-52.