Chilhowie man sentenced to prison for meth distribution

MARION, Va. (WJHL) — A Southwest Virginia man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for methamphetamine distribution.

Jeffrey Michael Charles, 57, of Chilhowie, received a 40-year sentence that included 10 years of active incarceration and 30 years suspended under conditions of supervised probation, according to the commonwealth attorney's office.

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Charles' conviction was the result of an investigation led by the Smyth County Sheriff's Office.

"Today's sentencing sends a clear message that drug distribution in our community, especially by repeat offenders, will not be tolerated," Smyth County Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip Blevins said in a release. "Drug dealers are not welcome in Smyth County. We are committed to pursuing justice and holding accountable those individuals who put others at risk."

Charles was previously convicted of two counts of distributing controlled substances in 2018, according to the commonwealth attorney's office. Sentencing guidelines called for three to five years, but with it being his third conviction, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years applied.

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