Goochland Man Sentenced to Five Years for Drug Related Death
A Goochland man was sentenced on December 4, 2025 to five years in federal prison after distributing cocaine and fentanyl that led to a friend s fatal overdose. The case highlights local public safety concerns and the consequences of supplying fentanyl laced substances in Richmond and surrounding communities.
A Goochland resident, Don Carnell Batchelor Jr., received a five year prison sentence on December 4, 2025 after a federal court found he distributed cocaine and fentanyl that resulted in a companion s death. The fatal overdose occurred on August 20, 2021 in Richmond when the person identified in court records as SN used a portion of the drugs Batchelor supplied and was found deceased in a parent s home the next morning. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was cocaine and fentanyl toxicity.
The prosecution was carried by the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman handling the case. Sentencing was imposed by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Federal and local law enforcement agencies coordinated on the investigation and announcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, the Virginia State Police, and the New Kent County Sheriff s Office. The investigation and federal prosecution underscore interagency efforts to address the distribution of fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the region.
For Goochland County residents the case carries both criminal justice and policy implications. The sentence illustrates the federal penalties associated with distributing drugs that contribute to overdose deaths, and it reinforces the operational role federal prosecutors can play alongside local law enforcement. It also points to continuing community concerns about fentanyl being present in other illicit substances, and the risks posed to users and to families where overdoses occur.
Community leaders and elected officials may view the case as a prompt to evaluate prevention and treatment resources, law enforcement capacity, and public health outreach within Goochland and neighboring jurisdictions. Residents seeking more information about court records can search PACER for Case No. 3:24-cr-134. For official inquiries related to the prosecution contact USAVAE.Press@usdoj.gov.
