NORFOLK, Va. – Federal and local law enforcement officials today announced the results of Operation High Tide, a proactive, large-scale narcotics and firearms trafficking investigation that focused on high-impact targets driving crime in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Hampton Roads.

In early September, over 100 law enforcement agents, officers, and other personnel executed Operation High Tide, which resulted in the arrests of nearly two dozen individuals involved in selling drugs and guns in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.

To date, Operation High Tide has resulted in 20 convictions and the recovery of approximately 78 firearms, over 7 kilograms of cocaine, nearly a kilogram of crack cocaine, over 625 grams of heroin, over 100 grams of fentanyl, 75 grams of acetyl fentanyl, 12 pounds of marijuana, 621 grams of hash oil, 24 grams of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), 120 grams of methamphetamine, and over $560,000 in cash. The narcotics seized have a street value of nearly $1 million.

“Armed criminals are the principal players involved in the deadly cycles of drug turf battles and gang conflicts that deprive our neighborhoods and families of the peace and security they deserve,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Operation High Tide is the latest highly-coordinated effort from federal, state, and local law enforcement to tackle violent crime in Hampton Roads. Further, this operation is emblematic of Attorney General Barr’s Project Guardian, which was announced last month and focuses on those who use firearms during narcotics trafficking and the trafficking of firearms. Through this operation, we are making our strong partnership known and felt in Hampton Roads, as we apprehend and remove from the streets those individuals who have committed serious offenses and put the safety of our communities in danger. This coordinated operation reflects the skilled and brave work of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and is part of a law enforcement surge in this priority enforcement area for EDVA.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated Operation High Tide in collaboration with the Chesapeake and Norfolk Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. The operation identified individuals throughout Hampton Roads who were illegally selling firearms, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other narcotics.

“This investigation focused on the most violent offenders in the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth communities,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division. “ATF’s priority is reducing violent crime. Criminals often utilize firearms as tools of their trade causing harm to our communities.  This case illustrates ATF’s commitment to effective law enforcement partnerships and dedication to keeping our cities safe.”

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

Below is a table which lists the name, age, hometown, and respective charge(s) to which each defendant pleaded guilty.



Name, Age

Hometown





Charges





Sentencing





Brian D. Best, 34

Virginia Beach





Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine





Feb. 27, 2020





Antisha Carrington, 25

Virginia Beach





Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana





Feb. 21, 2020





Kawanta D. Epps, 40

Norfolk





Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; Distribution of Heroin





Feb. 19, 2020





Anthony L. Green, 48

Chesapeake





Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; Distribution of Heroin





March 12, 2020





Corey L. Jones, 50

Portsmouth





Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime





Feb. 19, 2020

 





Dominic D. Jones, 26

Portsmouth





Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime





Feb. 11, 2020





Malcolm D. Jones, Sr., 45

Portsmouth





Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl; Distribution of Acetyl Fentanyl





Feb. 5, 2020





Shon E. Melton, 30

Portsmouth





Distribution of Heroin; Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime; Possession of an Unregistered National Firearms Act Firearm





March 26, 2020





Gary Norfleet, 52

Chesapeake





Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Felon in Possession of a Firearm





Feb. 11, 2020





Jermaine C. Parker, 35

Chesapeake





Distribution of Fentanyl; 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime





Feb. 3, 2020





Corey S. Reed, 38

Norfolk





Distribution of Heroin; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin





Jan. 9, 2020





Jameel M. Simmons, 37

Portsmouth





Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime





Jan. 23, 2020





Jelami M. Smith, 43

Portsmouth





Distribution of Heroin





Feb. 2, 2020





Robert B. Spruill, 39

Chesapeake





Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Methamphetamine





Feb. 27, 2020





Hasheed Mills, 25

Portsmouth





Distribution of Heroin; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime; Distribution of Cocaine





Feb. 28, 2020





Tajh Rodgers, 29

Portsmouth





Robbery Affecting Commerce; Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and 3 counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime





Jan. 9, 2020





Glenn Farris, 36

Norfolk





Using a Communication Facility to Commit, Cause, and Facilitate the Distribution of Controlled Substances





Feb. 12, 2020





Malcom Jones, Jr., 25

Portsmouth





Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin





Feb. 18, 2020





Raewkon A. Pierce, 24

Portsmouth





Distribution of Cocaine





March 16, 2020





Johnnie Ross, 29

Portsmouth





Distribution of Fentanyl





March 31, 2020



 

G. Zachery Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police; Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police; Greg Underwood, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Nancy Parr, Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney, made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF’s Norfolk Field Office, the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police, with the assistance of the FBI, DEA, NCIS, and the U.S. Marshals.

Attorneys from the Drug and Violent Crime Unit of the Norfolk Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Kristin G. Bird, Andrew C. Bosse, John F. Butler, Megan M. Cowles, Sherrie Capotosto, Kevin M. Comstock, Joseph E. DePadilla, William B. Jackson, Darryl Mitchell, and William D. Muhr are prosecuting the cases.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:19-CR-111; 2:19-CR-80, 141, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 154, 155; and 2:18-CR-138.

NORFOLK, Va. – Over 100 law enforcement agents, officers, and other personnel executed Operation High Tide this week, which resulted in a series of arrests of individuals allegedly involved in selling drugs and guns in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.

Operation High Tide is a large-scale narcotics trafficking and firearms investigation that has resulted in the recovery of over 65 firearms, over 7 kilograms of cocaine, nearly a kilogram of crack cocaine, over 625 grams of heroin, over 100 grams of fentanyl, 75 grams of acetyl fentanyl, 12 pounds of marijuana, 621 grams of hash oil, 24 grams of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), 120 grams of methamphetamine, and over $560,000 in cash. The narcotics seized have a street value of nearly $1 million.

“Operation High Tide is the latest highly-coordinated effort from federal, state, and local law enforcement to tackle violent crime in Hampton Roads,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through this operation, we are making our strong partnership known and felt in Hampton Roads, as we apprehend and remove from the streets those individuals who have allegedly committed serious offenses and put the safety of our communities in danger. Armed criminals are the principal players involved in the deadly cycles of turf battles and gang conflicts that deprive our neighborhoods and families of the peace and security they deserve. This coordinated operation reflects the skilled and brave work of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and is part of a law enforcement surge in this priority enforcement area for EDVA.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated Operation High Tide in collaboration with the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. This Operation identified more than two dozen individuals throughout Hampton Roads who were illegally selling firearms, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other narcotics.

“ATF’s priority is reducing violent crime,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division. “Criminals often utilize firearms as tools of their trade causing harm to our communities.  This case illustrates ATF’s commitment to effective law enforcement partnerships and dedication to keeping our cities safe.”

 “The safety and well-being of Virginia residents and visitors was positively impacted as a result of this comprehensive investigation and joint operation with our law enforcement partners,” said Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division. “The DEA is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners on operations such as this one, to safely remove violent criminals, guns, and drugs from our neighborhoods.”

Below is a table which lists the name, age, hometown, and respective charge(s) each defendant faces or faced. Defendants in state custody awaiting transfer to federal custody are not listed.



Name, Age





Hometown





Charges





Brian D. Best, 34





Virginia Beach





1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Methamphetamine; 1 Count of Distribution of Methamphetamine





Antisha Carrington, 25





Virginia Beach





1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 1 Count of Distribution of Marijuana; 3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin





Kawanta D. Epps, 40





Norfolk





1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 9 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 4 Counts of Distribution of Fentanyl





Anthony L. Green, 48





Chesapeake





1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 5 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Distribution of Fentanyl





Corey L. Jones, 50





Portsmouth





1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 11 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 3 Counts of Distribution of 10 Grams or more of Acetyl Fentanyl





Dominic D. Jones, 26





Portsmouth





1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 1 Count of Possess, Use, and Carry Firearm in Furtherance and in Relation to Drug-Trafficking Crime; 1 Count of Felon in Possession of Firearm





Malcolm D. Jones, 45





Portsmouth





1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 13 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 3 Counts of Distribution of 10 Grams or More of Acetyl Fentanyl;





Shon E. Melton, 30





Portsmouth





3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Possession of Firearms During and In Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime; 1 Count of Possession of an Unregistered National Firearms Act Firearm





Gary Norfleet, 52





Chesapeake





1 Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; 1 Count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm





Jermaine Parker, 35





Chesapeake





6 Counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; 2 Counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime; 5 Counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm; 1 Count of Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises





Corey S. Reed, 38





Norfolk





3 Counts of Distribution of Controlled Substances; 2 Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances





Jameel M. Simmons, 37





Portsmouth





1 Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; 1 Count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime





Jelami M. Smith, 43





Portsmouth





1 Count of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Distribution of Fentanyl





Robert Spruill, 39





Chesapeake





1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Methamphetamine; 1 Count of Distribution of Methamphetamine



G. Zachery Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police, and Angela Greene, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after the federal arrests were made and the indictments were unsealed.

 

This case was investigated by the ATF’s Norfolk Field Office, the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police, with the assistance of the FBI, DEA, NCIS, and the U.S. Marshals.  Attorneys from the Drug and Violent Crime Unit of the Norfolk Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Kristin G. Bird, Andrew C. Bosse, John F. Butler, Megan M. Cowles, Sherrie Capotosto, Kevin M. Comstock, Joseph E. DePadilla, William B. Jackson, Darryl Mitchell, and William D. Muhr are prosecuting the cases.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:19-CR-80, 141, 145, 147, 149, 150, 154; and 2:18-CR-138.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.