Portsmouth Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possessing Fentanyl and Firearm

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 20 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, the investigation into Carlton Jamel Dillard, 40, began on December 31, 2022, when a Portsmouth ambulance found an unconscious male who was suffering from gunshot wounds in the middle of Randolph Street. The male was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Police discovered the crime scene to be at 1700 Atlanta Avenue with several spent cartridge casings. During the investigation, the police learned that the victim had a conflict with another narcotics distributor, identified as “Mel,” who detectives determined was Carlton Jamel Dillard. A witness stated that Dillard arrived in an unknown vehicle as a passenger with an unknown driver in front of 1700 Atlanta Avenue. Dillard and the driver approached on foot and started firing shots at the victim.

Based on this information, on January 1, 2023, a felony arrest warrant for homicide was issued in the City of Portsmouth for Dillard, and police attempted to located him. Two days later, law enforcement found Dillard, took him into custody, and searched him incident to arrest. On his person, law enforcement recovered eight capsules of fentanyl and keys to a parked SUV. Within plain view, detectives observed a 9mm ammunition box in the back seat of the SUV and a digital scale. Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant for the SUV and, from within the vehicle, recovered a loaded black CZ 75 P-01 semi-automatic pistol, four clear plastic bags, cocaine, a digital scale, and ammunition from the back seat. After being advised of his rights, Dillard admitted to shooting the victim with the firearm recovered during the search.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, 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 Arenda Wright Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan M. Montoya prosecuted the case.

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-64.