Norfolk businessman in federal court on drug charges

NORFOLK

A local businessman charged with running a multimillion-dollar cocaine ring waived his right to a bond hearing Tuesday in federal court and will remain in jail pending grand jury action.

Christopher Roy Barber of Smithfield and two co-defendants, Fabian Israel Beltran Lopez of Norfolk and Earnest Kumasi Johnson of Chesapeake, were in U.S. District Court facing drug charges.

Drug Enforcement Administration agent Kevin Cox testified that federal and local authorities have been investigating Barber for about two years and that they intercepted dozens of phone calls detailing cocaine deals.

Barber, who owns Game Theater Innovations, a video gaming store and home theater installation business near Military Circle, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and a bond hearing.

Lopez, described in court papers as Barber's supplier and an illegal immigrant from Mexico, postponed his hearings until next week. His lawyer said immigration authorities have placed a detainer on him, anticipating deportation proceedings.

Johnson, described in court as one of Barber's buyers and distributors, was released on $50,000 bond.

Court records indicated that Barber has admitted to the DEA that he had sold $1.2 million worth of cocaine in December alone.

This is Barber's second trial through the federal court system in 13 years. He was arrested in 1999 on charges of distributing heroin. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 78 months in prison. A judge later reduced that by half after Barber cooperated with authorities, according to court records.

Tim McGlone, 757-446-2343, tim.mgclone@pilotonline.com