ABINGDON, VIRGINIA – A Southwest Virginia resident, who previously pled guilty to charges related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia at Abingdon, Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. and Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced.
Travis Michael Felty, 35, of Marion, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, one count of creating a substantial risk of harm to human life while illegally manufacturing or attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, and one count of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture methamphetamine where a minor resided or was present. Felty was sentenced today in District Court to serve 84 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Restitution of $834 was also imposed for the cleanup of the hazardous materials from a methamphetamine laboratory found at Felty’s apartment.
Felty pled guilty to conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine over a nine month period, from August 9, 2014, through on or about May 27, 2015. Approximately 68 grams of methamphetamine were involved in this conspiracy. Evidence presented during today’s sentencing hearing included photographs of Felty’s apartment, where a search warrant was executed on May 27, 2015. The search warrant revealed evidence of a recent methamphetamine laboratory, which included dangerous equipment and chemicals, methamphetamine, and multiple drug paraphernalia items, such as smoking devices and a used syringe. The methamphetamine laboratory equipment and materials were located in close proximity to Felty’s two-year old child’s bedroom. Actual methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and other dangerous items were located on top of the child’s toy table, just outside the child’s bedroom. Felty’s child was present when the search warrant was executed.
“Manufacturing methamphetamine puts those nearby in tremendous harm. When that involves a minor, we take it very serious and hold those responsible accountable, as today’s sentence shows” United States Attorney Fishwick said today. “This case demonstrates the lengths that drug dealers will go to manufacture this drug, to include manufacturing where a two-year old child resides. Exposing a young child to methamphetamine and the dangerous chemicals used during the manufacturing process is incomprehensive and repugnant. We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to slow the spread of this deadly drug throughout Virginia, put those who manufacture and traffic it in jail, and lend support to those struggling with addiction.”
Attorney General Mark Herring added his appreciation to the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and echoed the need to aggressively prosecute those who manufacture methamphetamine. “Manufacturing methamphetamine is inherently dangerous and presents a serious risk of harm to the community. Our office takes all cases involving the manufacture of methamphetamine very seriously, particularly those where a child is exposed to this very dangerous drug and the manufacturing process. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who manufacture and traffic methamphetamine and work to keep this dangerous drug out of our communities. Public safety is our highest priority,” stated Attorney General Mark Herring.
Agencies involved in this investigation included the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Abingdon Police Department, Bristol Virginia Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case for the United States.