Pasco man pleads guilty to causing series of overdoses while incarcerated at the Pasco County jail
TAMPA, Fla. - Timothy CathCart, 33, of Pasco County, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing detectable amounts of fentanyl and norfentanyl, the use of which resulted in serious bodily injury to three individuals. CathCart faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, CathCart was part of a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Middle District of Florida. In January 2019, CathCart was arrested for a traffic violation in Pasco County. Moments before his arrest, CathCart concealed approximately seven grams of fentanyl, which he had mixed with seven grams of gabapentin and methamphetamine. CathCart then smuggled the controlled substances into the Pasco County jail.
Between Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, 2019, CathCart distributed the fentanyl that he had smuggled into the jail to three inmates. All three inmates lost consciousness, overdosed, and suffered serious bodily injury. Deputies from Pasco County and emergency personnel successfully revived all three victims.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
More information about this case can be found at https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov or https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov.
