A Danville resident, Rashad Polk, was sentenced on October 24 to 114 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distribution of methamphetamine. Polk, 35, had pleaded guilty to the charges in January 2025.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The transaction took place at a commercial establishment in Danville where Polk exchanged the firearm and fentanyl for $1,150. Later, in July 2024, another confidential informant arranged to purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine from Polk at a shopping center in Danville. That exchange involved narcotics for $2,000.
Authorities reported that law enforcement made about ten additional controlled purchases from Polk. These transactions amounted to at least 627 grams of methamphetamine, 310 grams of fentanyl, and 13 grams of cocaine. In total, Polk received approximately $18,250 from these sales.
“This office will seek maximum accountability against those who violate federal law in Danville and throughout the Western District of Virginia,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Danville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Parrella and Matthew Miller.
Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of ATF announced the sentencing.
