United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Corey Gaddy (31, St. Petersburg) guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including fentanyl and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. Gaddy faces a maximum sentence of 60 years’ imprisonment. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 1, 2024. Gaddy was arrested on September 9, 2020, and has remained in custody.

According to court records, testimony, and evidence presented at trial, Gaddy was a supplier of opioids in Pinellas County since 2017. One of his dealers, Shawn Rodriguez, was at various times during the conspiracy a distributor of opioids in the Madeira Beach area. In February 2019, the Largo Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Gaddy where heroin was concealed on his person. On November 6, 2019, while on bond for that offense, Gaddy distributed fentanyl to Rodriguez who then supplied the same to K.E. In the early morning hours of November 7, 2019, K.E. died of fentanyl toxicity. Gaddy learned that K.E. had died but continued distributing opioids anyway. In April 2020, while still on bond for his pending state case, Gaddy distributed opioids to J.P. and another individual. Two days later, J.P. was found dead on a fishing boat.

Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to his role in the case. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 7, 2024.

This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Largo Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov.  Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).

The DEA encourages parents, teachers, care givers, guardians, and children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov.

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