United States Drug Enforcement Administration

GAINESVILLE, FLA. – Khiri Jackson, 31, of Cross City, Fla., pled guilty in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Methamphetamine addiction destroys lives and harms communities throughout North Florida, but this trafficker’s days of flooding our streets with this poison are over.  My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting drug traffickers, and I deeply appreciate the outstanding work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep these offenders and these deadly drugs off our streets.”

Court documents reflect Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the drug-trafficking activities of Jackson since late 2024. On April 15, 2025, through coordinated law enforcement surveillance, Jackson was apprehended near Old Town, Fla., as he returned from the Ocala, Fla., area. Law enforcement found approximately one pound of drugs in a vacuum sealed bag on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Jackson faces at least 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life imprisonment.

The case involved a joint investigation by Drug Enforcement Administration, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, and Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida. Sentencing is September 30 at 10 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.