Hampton Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Deal Shootout

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Randell Lamont Woods, 24, of Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 66 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Anton A. Bell, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Hampton, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Woods pled guilty on June 11, 2012.

According to court documents, on December 27, 2011, Woods planned a drug delivery in the parking lot of the Hampton Walmart. During the course of the drug deal, 25 shots were exchanged between Christopher Vinson, David Andrews, and a third individual. Woods was armed with a stolen .45 caliber firearm and provided cover to Andrews during the shootout. Woods and Andrews retreated to a nearby motel, where they surrendered to Hampton Police after a seven-hour standoff.

Christopher Vinson pled guilty to his participation in the crime on April 23, 2012, and was sentenced on September 10, 2012, to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release. David Andrews pled guilty on June 5, 2012, and was sentenced on September 24, 2012, to 228 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hampton Police Division. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Murphy prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.