Henrico man gets 15 years for trafficking over 200 grams of heroin, gun possession

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A 37-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in federal court on Monday for trafficking over 200 grams of heroin from his Henrico County residence in 2018. The man in the case, Mervin Turner, was also found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

“Drug traffickers in possession of firearms pose a significant threat to our communities,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Authorities raided Turner’s residence in August 2018 after, according to a Department of Justice release, he had distributed heroin and fentanyl on two different times to a confidential source. During the search of Turner’s residence, law enforcement found a loaded semi-automatic pistol, more than 200 grams of heroin, marijuana, digital scales, more than $9,000 and two stand-up shop presses. The shop presses were used to package heroin, court documents said.  

“Investigating and prosecuting heroin and fentanyl trafficking crimes is a top priority of this office as we continue to battle this deadly epidemic. We are committed to our mission of public safety and will continue to aggressively pursue those who choose to endanger the safety of the communities we serve,” Terwilliger continued. 

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