NORFOLK, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man pleaded guilty yesterday to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Michael Drake, 22, and others were dealing drugs out of a residence located in Portsmouth. Over a period of three weeks in January and February, law enforcement observed at least 10 different individuals, including Drake, conduct over 500 suspected narcotics transactions. On February 23, law enforcement observed Drake with a firearm, despite being a convicted felon. He and two others, Samuel Swinney, 37, and Keith Johnson, Jr., 35, were arrested and charged.

Swinney pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and Johnson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both are scheduled to be sentenced in December.

Drake is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16, 2024. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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 Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Cheney is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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. 2:23-cr-83.