Armed Richmond Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Over 19 Years

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced yesterday to 235 months in prison for distributing fentanyl, heroin and cocaine and for unlawfully possessing three firearms.

According to court documents, Steven Oliver, 43, was part of a larger drug trafficking organization operating in the Richmond area. Between June 2020 and January 2023, Oliver was involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Between April and November 2022, Oliver distributed more than 175 grams of fentanyl, some of which he marketed as heroin. During this time frame, Oliver also possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 14.5 kilograms of heroin. Moreover, Oliver informed law enforcement that, prior to his arrest in 2023, he had received approximately 750 grams of heroin from his source of supply for distribution during 2021 and 2022.

On Jan. 11, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Oliver’s residence. Law enforcement discovered that Oliver unlawfully possessed three firearms and ammunition despite his prohibited status as a convicted felon. The three firearms Oliver possessed were a Del-Ton multi-caliber pistol, a Ruger 5.7x28 caliber pistol and a Rock Island Armory revolver, as well as assorted ammunition. Additional distribution quantities of cocaine and fentanyl were recovered from Oliver’s residence during the search.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

This case was investigated by the Richmond Office of ATF; the DEA and the Chesterfield County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Mastandrea-Miller and Patrick McGorman prosecuted the case.

###

Source: U.S. ATF, atf.gov