Roanoke man faces decades in prison for robbery, murder, and cover-up linked to drug trade
Roanoke, Virginia – In a federal court in Roanoke earlier this week, Joseph Richard Walker, 30, admitted to a series of heinous crimes, including robbing, shooting, and killing his drug supplier, followed by burning the victim’s body to cover his tracks. Walker pleaded guilty to charges of Hobbs Act Robbery and possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. He now faces a potential sentence of up to 35 years in prison.
Another individual implicated in the case, Garrett Isaac Williams, has been indicted on related charges and is awaiting trial.
A Violent Plot Fueled by Drug Trafficking
Court documents reveal that Walker and Williams conspired to distribute marijuana beginning no later than January 2023. Their supplier, identified as E.B., regularly traveled from Pennsylvania to Roanoke to sell marijuana to the pair, often conducting transactions at Walker’s residence. However, the business relationship began to sour, and a phone call from E.B. to Walker’s mother set the stage for a deadly scheme.
Rather than paying E.B. the money owed, Walker and Williams devised a plan to rob him. They lured E.B. to Roanoke under the pretense of purchasing marijuana, intending to intimidate him into ending their business dealings. On April 17, 2023, E.B. arrived at Walker’s home with approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and two pounds of marijuana wax. Concealing a Sig Sauer .45 caliber pistol, Walker confronted E.B. about the phone call to his mother. The confrontation ended violently, with Walker shooting E.B. twice, killing him.
Cover-Up Attempt
In an effort to conceal the crime, Walker dragged E.B.’s body out of his residence and placed it in the trunk of a car. He drove to Bedford County, Virginia, where he set the body on fire. Before leaving his home, Walker stole the marijuana that E.B. had brought with him.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Virginia State Police, with support from the U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and several local law enforcement entities. The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, composed of officers from Roanoke-area police departments and the Virginia State Police, also played a significant role in the investigation.
Statements from Officials
“The Department of Justice has no greater mission than to hold accountable those individuals who commit violence in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee. He emphasized the importance of partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement in achieving successful prosecutions of violent offenders.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador highlighted the collaborative efforts that brought about the guilty plea, stating, “Gun violence and drug trafficking have no place in our neighborhoods, and FBI Richmond is proud to work alongside our Safe Streets Task Force partners to hold accountable those who seek to undermine the safety and security of our citizens.”
Virginia State Police Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley commended the outcome, calling it “a victory for the citizens of the Commonwealth” and reiterating the agency’s commitment to bringing violent offenders to justice.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Walker’s guilty plea concludes a multiyear investigation into the crime. He admitted to the Hobbs Act Robbery and firearm-related charges, which carry a combined maximum penalty of 35 years in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Coleman Adams, Kelly McGann, and Drew O. Inman are leading the prosecution.
Walker will be sentenced at a later date, while Williams awaits trial on related charges. This case underscores the dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in addressing violent crime and ensuring public safety.