TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jason Rigdon, 44, of Crawfordville, Florida, pleaded guilty July 9, 2025, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of multiple firearms by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “I applaud the...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kendrick Jermaine Hills Jr., 22, of Williston, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for charges related to armed drug trafficking. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Hills was arrested on July 10, 2025, and appeared before United...

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Joel David Fonseca Flores (45, Orlando) to 32 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl that resulted in death, possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking...

Jacksonville, Fla. – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced Brian Gregory Brightman (31, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Brightman faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet...

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron today sentenced George Pherai-Bogeajis, 35, Orlando, to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The court also ordered Pherai-Bogeajis to forfeit four vehicles and four...

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...

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of four indictments charging a total of 12 individuals with murder in furtherance of drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, illegal possession of firearms, and bank fraud...

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Shaun Edward McBay, 51, of Freeport, Fla., was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession of a...

Tampa, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Christian Perez-Seda, 38, of Tampa, Fla., to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Perez-Seda pleaded guilty in March 2024. According to court documents, on July 24, 2021, Perez-Seda...

OCALA, Fla. – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Troy Nix (30, Mount Dora) to five years and eight months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Nix had pleaded guilty on September 21, 2022. According to court records, on June 3...