Drug dealer faces 80 years

A convicted drug dealer has close to 80 years in prison hanging over his head as a result of sentencing in New Kent Circuit Court on four cocaine-related charges.

Termara Delvon Brown, 27, of 3303 Branch Avenue in Richmond, had been found guilty earlier on three counts of crack cocaine distribution and one count of cocaine possession with intent to distribute. At sentencing on June 28, Judge Thomas B. Hoover handed the defendant 20 years on each charge, suspending all but six months for the next 40 years.

Brown has already spent seven months in jail since his arrest. But instead of being released on time served, he must successfully complete the state Department of Corrections’ Diversion Center Program, which takes about six months.

Brown became a target late last year of the Twin Rivers Narcotics Task Force, which set up several buys with the defendant using an undercover informant.

During sentencing, Brown apologized for his actions, saying drug dealing was not his way of life. Before his arrest on the New Kent charges, he had no prior criminal record.

“You were known to the task force as a drug dealer,” Hoover said to the defendant. “Were you working last year except as a drug dealer?”

“No,” Brown replied. “But it wasn’t my occupation. It was something I did wrong.”

Under questioning from the judge, Brown said he lives with his mother and an aunt.

“When are you going to grow up and get a job?” the judge asked.

“I can’t make any excuse for it,” Brown answered. “All I can do is prove I can be better.”

Hoover told the defendant to expect a long term in state prison if he returns to court with a subsequent drug violation.

In another, unrelated case on June 28, Hoover found Michael E. Chinn, 56, of 6131 Thierry St. in Richmond, guilty on one count of grand larceny in connection with two ATVs and lawn/garden equipment stolen March 13 from a rental house owned by Jeff Grau.

Chinn was part of a contracting crew preparing the house for the next tenant. After the crew left, the owner discovered that a lock on the garage had been cut and the ATVs and the other items were missing. When confronted, Chinn said he took the ATVs and equipment to South Hill for storage.

Defense attorney Taylor Stone argued that part of his client’s job was to make sure items on the premises were secure. But Chinn admitted he had no orders from his employer allowing him to remove items. Prosecutor Linwood Gregory, meanwhile, pointed out that other valuables stored inside the garage were untouched.

Sentencing for Chinn is scheduled for September.