Richmond repeat offender sentenced to 7 years for possessing cocaine, fentanyl
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond felon with several prior convictions was sentenced on Tuesday to seven years in prison after he was found with nearly 50 grams of fentanyl.
On Tuesday, July 15, 30-year-old Ernest Winfred Mealey was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Per court documents, on Aug. 18, 2024, officers with the Richmond Police Department saw Mealey with what looked like a firearm. Mealey and another person with him tried to walk away, but the officers approached them.
The officers asked Mealey if he had a gun and he denied having one, according to court documents. They then asked Mealey if he had a concealed weapons permit. He did not answer before he attempted to run away.
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"The officers pursued and tackled Mealey, at which point a firearm fell from Mealey’s shirt," the DOJ said.
Police searched his bag and found 48.14 grams of fentanyl, 28.17 grams of cocaine, a digital scale and $1,696.
Mealey has seven prior felony convictions, including drug and firearms offenses, per the DOJ.
