United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NORFOLK, Va. - Eugene Deandre Tillery, 20, of Suffolk, was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on seven counts of distributing , which is a very potent pain killer used in the medical profession. 

According to the indictment, from Nov. 14, 2015 through Dec. 2, 2015, the DEA, with assistance from the Suffolk Police Department, conducted a series of controlled purchases from Tillery. The agents thought they were purchasing heroin from Tillery, but an analysis of the drugs by a laboratory revealed that the drugs were Fentanyl.  The agents made six purchases from Tillery which ranged from 45 to 100 capsules per purchase.

“Drug dealers selling heroin-laced fentanyl or replacing the heroin entirely with fentanyl is an alarming trend and a tremendous threat to public safety,” said Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division.  “There is no safe amount of fentanyl that can be bought on the street. We are seeing fentanyl and heroin related overdose deaths in record numbers across Virginia, as people from all walks of life are becoming addicted to these highly dangerous drugs. DEA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, as exemplified in this investigation, to aggressively pursue those who ruthlessly traffic these drugs.”

“Even a small amount of fentanyl can be lethal,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “There is a disturbing trend across the nation, including here in the Tidewater area, of heroin dealers adding fentanyl to their heroin to increase the potency.  As a result, we have seen an alarming increase in overdoses, many of which have resulted in death. Arrests and criminal prosecutions alone will not solve this problem. We must continue to strive for increases in education, treatment, and prevention.” 

“Like most cities across the nation, Suffolk has seen a dramatic increase in the number of heroin and fentanyl overdoses and deaths,” said Thomas Bennett, Chief of Police, Suffolk Police Department.  “Addressing this issue has become a priority for our agency, not only from an enforcement perspective but also from an emergency treatment standpoint.”

Tillery faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, if convicted.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Washington Division; Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Thomas E. Bennett, Chief of Police, Suffolk Police Department, made the announcement after Tillery’s arrest and initial appearance today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr is prosecuting the case.