A Danville resident has been sentenced to over nine years in federal prison for drug distribution and illegal firearm possession. Rashad Polk, 35, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges including illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distribution of methamphetamine.
Polk was sentenced on October 24 to 114 months in prison after making more than ten controlled sales of narcotics and a handgun to confidential informants cooperating with federal law enforcement. The sentencing follows an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Danville Police Department.
According to court documents, in May 2024, Polk agreed to sell a handgun and an ounce of fentanyl to a confidential informant working with the ATF. The transaction took place at a commercial establishment parking lot in Danville, where Polk exchanged the firearm and fentanyl for $1,150. In July 2024, another informant arranged with Polk to purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine at a shopping center in Danville; this exchange involved $2,000.
Further investigation revealed that law enforcement conducted about ten additional controlled purchases from Polk. These transactions totaled at least 627 grams of methamphetamine, 310 grams of fentanyl, and 13 grams of cocaine. Polk received approximately $18,250 through these sales.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci stated: “This office will seek maximum accountability against those who violate federal law in Danville and throughout the Western District of Virginia.”
The announcement was made by Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, along with Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Parrella and Matthew Miller prosecuted the case.
