Press Release
Nine Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging nine people with participating in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
According to the indictment and court documents, Alex Burnett is charged with being the head of a criminal organization operating on the Virginia Peninsula. The indictment charges Alex Burnett, Charles McMillan, Charles Bailey, Jr., Mario Barrett and Jordan Davis with conspiring to distribute and distributing heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana. This included using the 9Rounds Gym in Peninsula Town Center, owned by Alex and Shirley Burnett, for drug deals. In addition, Alex Burnett, along with his father, Robert Burnett, and his mother, Shirley Burnett, and Ada Rodriguez and Eleonora Paronuzzi are charged with laundering the monies made from the drug distribution. Alex Burnett, Barrett and Davis are also charged with possessing firearms as convicted felons and Barrett is additionally charged with possessing an assault rifle in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
The Grand Jury returned the following charges:
Name |
Age, Hometown |
Charges |
Max Penalty |
Alex Burnett |
37, Hampton |
Continuing Criminal Enterprise Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs Conspiracy to Launder Money Distribution of Heroin Felon in Possession of Firearm
|
Life Life 20 years 20 years 10 years |
Shirley Burnett |
62, Carrollton |
Conspiracy to Launder Money |
20 years |
Robert Burnett |
64, Carrollton |
Conspiracy to Launder Money |
20 years |
Jordan Davis |
24, Williamsburg |
Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs Distribution of Cocaine Base Felon in Possession of Firearm |
Life 20 years 10 years |
Charles McMillan |
30, Newport News |
Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs Distribution of Cocaine Base |
Life 20 years |
Charles Bailey, Jr. |
54, Newport News |
Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs Distribution of Cocaine Base |
Life 20 years |
Eleanora Paronuzzi |
36, Newport News |
Conspiracy to Launder Money |
20 years |
Ada Rodriguez |
36, Jacksonvillle, Florida |
Conspiracy to Launder Money |
20 years |
Mario Barrett |
41, Hampton |
Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs Distribution of Heroin Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana Felon in Possession of Firearm Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking |
Life 20 years 5 years
10 years Life |
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:17-cr-111.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Contact
Joshua Stueve
Director of Communications
joshua.stueve@usdoj.gov
Updated November 15, 2017
Topics
Prescription Drugs
Financial Fraud
Firearms Offenses
Component