TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Miranda Marie Stafford, 57, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to...

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Rose Esquilin Rios (34, Winter Haven) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Esquilin Rios faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Esquilin Rios that the...

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Matias Sanchez Cardosa, Jr. (53, Orlando) to 14 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Cardosa entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024. According to court documents, on March...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recognizes the Red Ribbon Campaign – the nation’s largest drug prevention effort - throughout the month of October by providing drug prevention, awareness, and education that encourages living healthy and drug-free. DEA’s Red Ribbon Week is recognized October 23 through October 31 every...

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Antoine D. Wilson, 41, currently incarcerated in Yazoo City, Mississippi, was found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to use communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. The guilty...

ATHENS, GREECE – This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Citizen Protection presided over the 38th annual International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) in Greece. Hundreds of top drug enforcement officials from more than 130 countries discussed innovative ways to expand international cooperation with a...

FORT MYERS, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert (34, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Colbert faces a minimum...

ORLANDO, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Edward Charlesalton Chappell (41, Kissimmee) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Chappell to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offense...

MIAMI – On Sept. 16, Hubert Ramon Santiesteban, 55, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to the court record, Santiesteban, of Sebring, Fla., negotiated the purchase of 30 kilograms of cocaine...

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Mitchell Wilson (35, Tampa) to 20 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The...