United States of America v. Jason Gregory Colley

Alexandria, VA - Luray Man Pleads Guilty to Tampering With Evidence For Moving Body Of Drug Overdose Victim



Jason Gregory Colley, 36, of Luray, Virginia, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence for moving the body of a drug overdose victim.



In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, on or about Sept. 12, 2014, Colley sold cocaine to Jason Laytham, 37, of Leesburg, Virginia, and another individual at an extended stay hotel in Ashburn, Virginia. After using an additional quantity of drugs, Laytham and the other individual became unconscious. Colley dragged Laytham’s body out of the hotel suite (which Colley had rented using his own name) into a common area of the hotel before calling for paramedics. When law enforcement officers arrived the other individual was unconscious in Colley’s hotel suite. While the other individual survived, Laytham died from the adverse effects of cocaine and other substances.



Colley was charged via criminal complaint on April 2, 2015. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 16, 2015. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.



Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael L. Chapman, Loudon County Sheriff; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.



This case was investigated by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA’s Washington Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Tobias D. Tobler are prosecuting the case.

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