Officials say Donald Peter Charles, a 32-year-old Norfolk man pleaded guilty to cocaine conspiracy.
They say he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2012.
He now faces a maximum penalty of life, and a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.
He will be sentenced on March 13, 2013.
According to the statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Charles made arrangements to drive to New York to purchase a kilogram of cocaine to break it down into smaller quantities to sell in Norfolk.
FBI agents allegedly saw him making the purchase in New York.
On his drive back to Virginia with the cocaine allegedly concealed in his trunk, he was pulled over by Virginia State Troopers on the Eastern Shore. The troopers say they found the kilogram of cocaine in Charles’ trunk and he was then arrested.
A later search of Charles’ home revealed packaging materials, scales, small quantities of cocaine and four firearms.
