NORFOLK, VA—Antwan Black, a/k/a “Twizzy,” 31, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release for the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine. He was further sentenced to an additional consecutive five years in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Royce E. Curtin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior United States District Judge Robert G. Doumar.

According to court documents, Black was the leader of a drug trafficking organization out of Portsmouth, Virginia. Between 2009 and July, 2013, Black sold heroin, cocaine-base and cocaine in the Portsmouth area. In 2012 and 2013, Black began using other individuals to man hotel rooms in the downtown Portsmouth area to sell drugs. Black furnished the room with ounces of heroin and crack cocaine daily. He paid for the hotel rooms, cell phones and other costs for his dealers. At the end of the day, Black retrieved the money from sales and would re-supply the room. Black carried a firearm with him during most of his drug deliveries. He and his co-conspirators also used homes of drug users to sell their narcotics. Drug users were given free drugs for access to their homes. As part of the investigation, authorities recovered two loaded firearms—a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and a MK99 assault rifle—from residences used by Black. Both firearms were loaded.

Black was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 10, 2014 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine on March 17, 2014. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portsmouth Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Cross prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:14-cr-15.