Drug dealer sentenced to 70 years

On July 6, 2019, Deputy Blake Hudson with the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check on a home where a juvenile was reported to be staying. When he arrived, he knocked on the door, and the juvenile opened the door with a cloth pressed to his face. Deputy Hudson could see what appeared to be a methamphetamine burn on the juvenile’s lip. The juvenile immediately walked away from the door, leaving it open, and Deputy Hudson opened the door further to ensure the juvenile’s safety. He then observed what appeared to be a white powdery substance and a smoking device on the table in plain view. A search warrant of the property revealed more than 14 grams of methamphetamine in two large bags, along with other indicators of distribution such as baggies and scales. Three adults were present in the house, including William Andrew Martin. Martin was initially charged with possession of a Schedule I or II substance based on the evidence immediately available, while the seized narcotics were sent to the Department of Forensic Science for analysis.

On September 10, 2019, a preliminary hearing was held in the Amherst County General District Court, and the cases were certified to the next Grand Jury. Because of the cooperation of a co-defendant, the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office were able to determine that Martin had sold a significant amount of methamphetamine in Amherst County. The Commonwealth, having received a certificate of analysis from the Department of Forensic Science, also Direct Indicted Martin on two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute more than 10 grams of Methamphetamine and one count of felony child abuse or neglect based on the juvenile present and (apparently) using methamphetamine while under Martin’s care. The Grand Jury returned true bills on all four indictments.

On January 15, 2020, William Andrew Martin pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of methamphetamine and abuse and neglect of a child. As part of the plea agreement, the remaining two charges were nolle prosequied. Martin was sentenced to a total of 70 years with 62 years suspended, leaving an active sentence of 8 years, including a 5 year mandatory minimum. As part of his plea agreement, when he is released he will be on good behavior for a period of 60 years from the date of his release, including 5 years of supervised probation. Since the defendant was 30 years old at the time of his offense, he will likely be on probation for the rest of his life.