United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Keith A. Penn, 41, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced on July 8, to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges.

“Today’s sentencing highlights the importance of the relationship between our law enforcement partners,” said DEA Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge La Verne Hibbert.  “As a result of this collaboration, another violent felon has been removed from the communities of Leon County.

”This case is another example of the success that can be achieved through collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “As a result of the excellent relationship between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), this armed drug trafficker has been held accountable for his criminal conduct, and the community is safer as a result.”

In July 2020, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Penn, leading to a search warrant for his apartment. During the execution of the warrant on Aug. 11, 2020, LCSO recovered six firearms, over 50 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia associated with the sale of narcotics such as scales and baggies, and approximately $5,925 in cash. Penn was arrested on state charges and was placed on pretrial release. LCSO conducted another controlled purchase of cocaine from Penn on Oct. 13, 2020 and obtained a second search warrant for his apartment. During the execution of the second warrant on Oct. 30, 2020, LCSO found various calibers of firearm ammunition, a small amount of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia (scales and baggies). LCSO also found approximately six grams of cocaine individually packaged into 25 baggies in Penn’s car, and over $900 in his pants pocket.

Penn pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Penn qualified for enhanced penalties as an Armed Career Criminal because of prior convictions for armed robbery with a deadly weapon and two counts of sale of cocaine. The court also ordered six years of supervised release following Penn’s prison term. “ATF takes possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon serious,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier, “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat these crimes that endanger our communities.”

This sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tallahassee Resident Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.

More information about this case can be found at www.flnd.uscourts.gov.

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