A Virginia man is going to prison in New York for dealing drugs and being caught with loaded illegal weapons.
Shanti Felton, a 20-year-old resident of Virginia, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with an additional five years of post-release supervision. This sentence follows Felton’s guilty plea to the illegal possession of a large quantity of fentanyl pills, methamphetamine pills, and three loaded firearms, including a pistol modified to function as a machine gun.
Felton’s conviction stems from his involvement in drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession, which posed a significant threat to the safety of Suffolk County residents. District Attorney Tierney expressed his gratitude to the Suffolk County Police Department and the United States Marshals Service for their efforts in apprehending Felton. He also commended his office’s prosecutors for securing a just conviction and a lengthy prison sentence for the defendant.
The case, as detailed in court documents and Felton’s own admissions during his guilty plea allocution, originated on October 19, 2022. Law enforcement agencies, including the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service, had received information that Felton was hiding at a residence in Bay Shore, New York, in an attempt to evade arrest for an alleged armed robbery in Virginia that occurred in May 2021.
When law enforcement approached the residence, Felton attempted to escape through a basement window while carrying a fully automatic and loaded pistol. This weapon lacked a serial number and had been modified to function as a machine gun. After a brief standoff with law enforcement, Felton dropped the illegal firearm and surrendered peacefully.
A subsequent search warrant executed at the residence yielded the discovery of two additional loaded firearms, a staggering 4,035 blue pressed fentanyl pills, 220 orange pressed methamphetamine pills, $5,510 in cash, and four cellphones.
Shanti Felton’s sentencing sends a clear message about the serious consequences of engaging in drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, along with its law enforcement partners, remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community by aggressively prosecuting individuals who pose a threat through their criminal activities.