STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — A local man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, following his conviction on drug distribution charges stemming from a fatal overdose investigation.
On Oct. 27, 2025, Patrick Small of Fredericksburg was sentenced in Stafford County Circuit Court after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, second offense.
The case originated from an investigation by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Special Investigations Unit into the overdose death of a county resident.
Detectives determined that Small, 45, had recently supplied narcotics to the victim before the fatal overdose.
As part of the investigation, the Stafford County SWAT Team later conducted a traffic stop on Small, recovering about 90 fentanyl pills and a quantity of xylazine.
He was subsequently charged with distribution of fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl as a weapon of terror, possession of heroin, and possession of xylazine.
