Drug and driving offenses could mean 50 years in prison

By Linda Cicoira

A Cape Charles area resident could face up to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and driving offenses Monday in Northampton Circuit Court. The minimum mandatory term for one crime is three years in the state penitentiary.

Forty-nine-year-old Jose A. Ortiz-Alvarado, of Trailer Circle, admitted to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and more than an ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana with intent to sell on Sept. 27, 2025. He also pleaded guilty to a second offense of DUI.

Ortiz-Alvarado was arrested for the crimes after being stopped by police for going 73 mph in a 55-mph zone at about 4 a.m. near Cherrydale Drive. A count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine was not prosecuted in a plea agreement. The meth charge was amended to state that he had previously been convicted of a “like offense” rather than a second offense.