California man sentenced to over 20 years for distributing pure meth in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. – A California man was sentenced today to 21 years and ten months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, from Sept. 21, 2022, to Feb. 13, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and task force agents used a confidential source to make multiple purchases of meth from Rodolfo Villanueva, 30. Each time, Villanueva sent a courier to meet the source. The courier would provide the meth from Villanueva to the source and collect from the source money owed to Villanueva for previously supplied meth. Villanueva was found to have supplied over 5 kilograms of nearly pure methamphetamine.

Following the final sale on Feb. 13, 2023, agents took Villanueva into custody and recovered the money from the transaction, which was in Villanueva’s coat pocket. A search of Villanueva’s Richmond apartment resulted in the recovery of 8.9 kilograms of fentanyl and 8.8 kilograms of cocaine.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted 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 are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-50.