TAMPA, Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jesus Andres Villapudua, a/k/a “Chik” (35, San Luis, Arizona), and Noel Alfredo Garcia, (34, Las Vegas, Nevada) with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams...

TAMPA, Fla . –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Marcus Lutrell Walden (36 , Winter Haven) has pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) . Walden faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Efrain Rivera Matos (45, Tampa) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl charges . Rivera Matos pleaded guilty on December 8, 2023 . According to court documents, on July 27, 2022...

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Ronnie Lee Seward (41, Seffner) to 25 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine . Seward entered a guilty plea on September 20, 2023 . According to court documents, on January 12, 2023, the...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla . – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Alyssa Avery (32, Green Cove Springs) to six years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine. Avery entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2023. According to court documents...

ORLANDO, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Ernesto Hidalgo (30, Orlando) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Hidalgo entered a guilty plea on September 21, 2023. According to court documents, over the course of...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Katherine Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Javontah Harris, a/k/a “Gut,” (21, St. Petersburg) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Luis Irizarry-Santiago, a/k/a “Bullet” (33, Spring Hill), to eight years and four months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and cocaine. Irizarry-Santiago was also ordered to forfeit $28,889 in cash that was seized from his...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Alonso Pineda-Torres (52, Colombia), a/k/a “Galladita,” to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine on board vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Pineda-Torres entered a guilty plea on October...

TAMPA , F la. – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Debora Ryder (56, New Port Richey) to three years in federal prison for drug conspiracy . Ryder entered a guilty plea on September 19, 2023. She has also agreed to forfeit her nursing licenses. According to court...