Lanexa man receives seven years for distributing cocaine, possessing gun illegally

By Andre Jones | May 23, 2023 9:53 am

A Lanexa man will spend the next seven years in jail for drug distribution after agreeing to the terms of a plea deal during May 15 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Terrence Doran Delaney, 37, of the 14000 block of Rockahock Road, entered a guilty plea to one count each of distribution of a Schedule I/II drug (second offense), possession of a weapon by a nonviolent felon, and possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II drug. One charge of possession of a weapon by a felon (not a gun) was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence provided by special prosecutor Tyler Klink, on June 30, 2022, Delaney was identified as a suspect in a narcotics investigation. A New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop, indicating to Delaney that they had a search warrant and detained the defendant. Delaney told the officer that there was some marijuana in the vehicle, as the officer observed a glass jar with green plantlike material.

After the defendant was Mirandized, the officer conducted a search of the vehicle and found a large amount of substance later determined to be powder cocaine. Delaney admitted that he had cocaine inside the truck.

But as the officer continued searching, they found a black bag on the front passenger floorboard. Inside the bag was a .45-caliber Taurus handgun. Delaney admitted that he knew he had “really *explicit* up this time. Delaney was taken into custody without incident. A background search determined that Delaney had committed a similar offense of distributing drugs, which made him a felon. By law, a felon is not allowed to possess any type of weapon.

Under the agreement, Delaney received a three-year sentence on the distribution of a Schedule I/II drug conviction, and two years on both charges of possession of a weapon by a nonviolent felon and possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The seven years imposed on the defendant is the mandatory minimum under the state statute.