4 sentenced in Richmond-area cocaine trafficking conspiracy

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Four people have been sentenced for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy operated out of a Richmond apartment complex.

Between late March and early April, four people who participated in cocaine trafficking out of Richmond's Southwood Apartments were sentenced to a combined 22 years and six months in prison, according to a March 31 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

This includes 40-year-old Timothy Keon Cousins, 25-year-old Aiyanah Keturah Holloway, 27-year-old Dequan Duane Evans and Jamale Raquan Kelly.

Per the DOJ, Cousins led this conspiracy. He provided the cocaine to his co-conspirators, who sold the illegal drugs and then gave their earnings back to him.

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Between Aug. 23, 2024 and July 17, 2025, law enforcement officers participated in seven controlled buys with Cousins, with Holloway and Evans participating in some of these transactions.

"Evans sold cocaine during separate transactions, during one of which Evans used a juvenile to distribute the cocaine to and receive payment from the buyer," the DOJ said.

Kelly was arrested on March 21, 2025 while in possession of 5.81 grams of cocaine, $635 and a digital scale.

On Aug. 20, 2025, investigators found four firearms, 173 cartridges of ammunition and two scales with "suspected drug residue" in Cousins' home during a search.

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Between October and November 2025, Cousins, Holloway, Evans and Kelly all pleaded guilty to their respective charges. They were each sentenced between March 23 and April 1.

Details on their charges and sentencings are as follows:

• Timothy Keon Cousins: Sentenced to 10 years in prison for distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine
• Aiyanah Keturah Holloway: Sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine
• Dequan Duane Evans: Sentenced to six years in prison for distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and employing minors in drug trafficking
• Jamale Raquon Kelly: Sentenced to one year and six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Two additional people will be sentenced on charges related to this conspiracy in July. This includes 22-year-old Atio Terrain Walton and 20-year-old Davante Aandrell Jefferson.

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Walton, who was arrested in July 2025 with 5.24 grams of cocaine on his person, faces up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He will be sentenced on July 21.

Jefferson was arrested in September 2025 after committing an armed robbery and carjacking. He faces a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison for carjacking and using, carrying and/or brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He will be sentenced on July 16.