North Chesterfield drug trafficker returning to prison for 15 years for drug trafficking and firearms convictions

RICHMOND, Va. - A North Chesterfield man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents, in 2020, law enforcement agencies began investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Richmond and Petersburg areas. Law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin from conspirators who were charged and convicted of narcotics trafficking. Those conspirators, and others, identified Curtis James Dickerson, 55, as the narcotics supplier for the organization.

Dickerson was the leader of this large-scale drug trafficking organization and was responsible for conspiring to distribute and distributing 40 kilograms of heroin, 40 kilograms of fentanyl, and 10 kilograms of cocaine in the two-years leading up to his arrest. He also maintained premises for drug packaging and distribution.

In September 2022, investigators searched one of Dickerson's residences. In addition to finding distribution quantities of fentanyl and heroin, investigators recovered industrial mixers with cocaine residue, digital scales, money counters, respirators that are worn while packaging fentanyl, a hydraulic press used to repackage narcotics, gloves with fentanyl residue, seven cellphones, a satellite phone, jewelry, and multiple high-end vehicles.

Investigators also recovered a .223 caliber semiautomatic handgun along with two 30-round magazines, a 45-round magazine, and assorted ammunition from a safe hidden inside a wall in Dickerson's bedroom. Dickerson has two prior drug trafficking convictions, including a prior federal conviction in the Eastern District of Virginia for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Dickerson cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

The Virginia State Police assisted in the investigation of this case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-37.