Middlesex man gets 20 years for distributing methadone

A Middlesex County man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison for distribution of methadone, in one case to a man who died of an overdose as a result.

Taylor Drew Munson, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne under the terms of a plea agreement. He admitted distributing liquid methadone prescribed for his own use from April 2008 to March 2009.

Munson also admitted that on May 24, 2008, he sold methadone to Allen Haywood, also of Middlesex, who overdosed and died. Munson sold liquid methadone five more times after Haywood's death.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said: "This is a very sad case, and our thoughts and condolences are with those who have lost loved ones -- in this case and others -- as a result of prescription drug abuse."

The case was investigated by the Middlesex Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Norfolk Office and the DEA's Richmond Office Diversion Group, and was prosecuted by Olivia N. Hawkins, an assistant U.S. attorney.

-- Frank Green