Two men convicted of conspiracy to traffic fentanyl between California and Virginia

NORFOLK, Va. — Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme to mail fentanyl and other drugs from California to Virginia, according to federal prosecutors.

Devin Joseph Stukes-McFarland, 27, of Virginia Beach, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. His co-conspirator, Brian Malik Williams, 27, of Modesto, Calif., received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to similar charges, including aiding and abetting drug distribution.

From September 2021 to March 2023, Stukes-McFarland received approximately 70 packages from Williams, 15 of which contained fentanyl pills, Xanax pills and ketamine. Williams, who operates under the alias “Matty Ruger,” shipped the packages from California and accepted payments through digital platforms such as Cash App and Apple Pay. Stukes-McFarland sold the drugs locally, marketing the fentanyl pills as legitimate Percocet.

Authorities discovered the conspiracy through controlled purchases and surveillance. On February 9 and March 2, 2023, the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted controlled buys from Stukes-McFarland, obtaining hundreds of fentanyl pills. Further investigation led to the interception of a March 24 package containing more than 4,260 fentanyl pills, weighing 466 grams, along with 1,279 Xanax pills and other controlled substances.

“Fentanyl trafficking schemes like this one devastate communities and put lives at risk,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “These sentences send a strong message to those who profit from the distribution of deadly drugs.”

The case was investigated by the DEA, VBPD and the US Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West prosecuted the case.

Both men now face lengthy prison terms for their roles in trafficking fentanyl, a drug that continues to fuel the opioid epidemic in the United States.