Executive Summary
- Michael Peduto was sentenced to three years of active prison time for meth distribution.
- The defendant was working as a paid task force informant at the time of his arrest.
- Authorities seized nearly one pound of methamphetamine from Peduto’s vehicle.
- Co-defendant Shakine Brown was previously sentenced to 13 years in prison.
An Augusta County man serving as a confidential informant was sentenced to three years in prison in Augusta County Circuit Court following a conviction for methamphetamine distribution. The sentencing, handed down by Circuit Judge Shannon Sherrill, stems from an October 2024 incident in which authorities discovered a significant quantity of narcotics in a vehicle owned by the defendant but driven by a known drug dealer.
Michael Peduto, 27, was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison with 10 years suspended, resulting in an active term of three years. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Sherrill ordered Peduto to serve five years of supervised probation upon his release. Peduto, who pleaded guilty in September to distribution of 100 to 200 grams of methamphetamine, stated during the hearing that he was struggling with addiction at the time of the offense.
According to court records and testimony, Peduto was working as a paid informant for the Staunton and Augusta Drug and Gang Task Force at the time of his arrest. Investigators had placed a tracking device on his Ford Escape, which alerted them to a trip to Roanoke on October 29, 2024. Task force members intercepted the vehicle on Interstate 81 at Exit 213 in Augusta County. A subsequent search revealed nearly a pound of methamphetamine hidden under the seat of the driver, 28-year-old Shakine J. Brown. Brown was sentenced to 13 years in prison in November for his role in the operation.
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kyle Powers questioned Peduto regarding his failure to inform his handlers about the trip to Roanoke, noting the large quantity of drugs involved. Peduto’s defense attorney, Duane Barron, argued for a probationary sentence, characterizing his client as a drug user who became involved with major dealers rather than a distributor himself. Peduto claimed he intended to report the transaction but felt unable to do so safely while in the presence of the co-defendant.
Judicial Procedures and Accountability
This case underscores the procedural complexities inherent in managing confidential informants who struggle with active substance abuse issues. The sentencing reflects the judicial system’s requirement to balance cooperation with law enforcement against personal criminal liability, particularly when an informant facilitates the transport of significant quantities of narcotics outside of sanctioned operations. While the defendants in this specific case have been sentenced, it is strictly noted that under the U.S. justice system, all individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
