Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

Heroin rings of Roanoke

Law enforcement agencies in and around Roanoke are cracking down on heroin trafficking. The effort is spurred by what police and prosecutors say is rising use among young people, a trend confirmed by workers at area treatment centers.

Heroin stories archive

Federal heroin overdose case brings 20-year sentence (July 27): Defendant in second case draws 38 months.

Defendant in heroin ring gets 4 1/2-year sentence (July 18): Paris Eugene Robinson had helped investigators, Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Wolthuis said.

Role in heroin distribution nets man 5 years in prison (June 24): Eric Otey, who pleaded guilty earlier, is the third of 11 defendants to be sentenced.

Judge gives teen break in heroin case (June 23): Michael John Duggins cooperated fully with authorities, the assistant U.S. attorney said.

Woman sentenced in heroin case (June 18)

2 plead guilty to federal heroin charges (May 14): The pleas wrap up a string of 11 cases tied to the distribution of heroin in the Roanoke area.

2 more admit roles in heroin deals (May 13): A federal prosecutor on Tuesday began unraveling the third strand of what investigators describe as a sort of triple conspiracy to import heroin into Roanoke and nearby areas.

Guilty verdict returned in drug case (May 7): Robert Dwayne Early, 39, was convicted in federal court on four heroin-linked charges.

Trial begins in conspiracy, heroin distribution case (May 6): The prosecutor called the defendant a heroin importer while the defense was critical of the witnesses' motives.

Sixth defendant pleads guilty to heroin charges (May 5): Another defendant pleaded guilty in the ongoing federal prosecution of interlocked heroin distribution rings operating around Roanoke.

Roanoke woman pleads guilty to supplying teens with heroin (May 1): Cynthia Kaye Nichols pleaded guilty Thursday to selling the heroin that two teens later overdosed on.

Man pleads guilty in heroin trafficking, gun possession (April 25): Clifton Dwight Lee may be eligible to have his sentence reduced as part of his plea agreement.

Teen pleads guilty in heroin case (March 25): The prosecutor said Michael Duggins' cellphone had numbers for 27 customers.

Heroin case sees second guilty plea (Feb. 28): Eric Wayne Otey Jr. will get at least five years, and as many as 40.

Details emerge in heroin trial (Feb. 26): One of several individuals indicted on drug charges pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Rise in heroin use among youth alarms officials (Feb. 25): The presence of heroin in the region tends to come without violence or open-air markets.