United States of America v. William Griggs

Norfolk, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Fentanyl mixed with Xylazine, opening two drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl mixed with Xylazine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.



on or about February 17, 2023, William Griggs, 54, operated two drug-involved houses in the City of Norfolk where he stored and packaged fentanyl mixed with Xylazine for distribution in Norfolk, and stored and packaged cocaine.



Xylazine, also known as "Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for veterinary use only. Xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. People who inject drug mixtures containing Xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue—that may lead to amputation. The combination is referred to on the street as the "Zombie” drug.



The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently issued a public safety alert warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of Fentanyl mixed with Xylazine and the drug's deadly effects. The FDA also published an alert to health care providers



about the risks to patients exposed to Xylazine in illicit drugs.



If convicted of the allegations, Griggs faces up to life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.



Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Division; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after the grand jury returned an Indictment.



Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock is prosecuting the case.



T.21:841(a)(1)(b)(1)(A)(vi)- Conspiracy/ T.18.924(d); T.21:853 and T.28:2461(c)- Criminal Forfeiture

(1)

T.21:856(a)(1) and (b)-Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises

(2-3)

T.21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(vi)- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

(4)

T.21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C)- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

(5)

T.21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(vi)- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

(6)

T.21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

(7)

T.18:922(g)(1),924 (a)(8)- Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm

(8-9)

05/03/2023 1 INDICTMENT RETURNED AND FILED IN OPEN COURT as to William A Griggs (1). Count(s) 1, 2-3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-9. On Motion of the Government, The Court directed a warrant be issued. (Attachments: # 1 Def info sheet) (Vpea) (Entered: 05/03/2023)



05/03/2023 3 Arrest Warrant Issued and Delivered to USM as to William A Griggs. (Vpea) (Entered: 05/03/2023)



An indictment is not proof of guilt.