NEWPORT NEWS — A Gloucester man has been convicted of trafficking methamphetamine and related firearms charges.
According to the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber, Eric Lee Smith, 40, engaged in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine in Gloucester County as well as surrounding localities between 2019 and 2020.
Along with other conspirators, Lee obtained quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona and facilitated its transportation to Virginia. Smith then stored the illegal substance in different localities while distributing it for profit.
Additionally, on Nov. 25, 2020, Smith was in possession of an illegal machine gun as well as an unregistered silencer. He then used the machine gun to shoot another individual.
Smith was convicted in federal court of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, using and maintaining drug premises, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, illegal possession of a machine gun, and possession of an unregistered firearm.
As a result of these convictions, Smith faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years with possible maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Aber’s office would like to extend special thanks to the Mathews County Sheriff’s Department for its assistance in this case.