United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Paul Anthony Hart, 42, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, consecutive to an existing Georgia sentence for trafficking in cocaine. 

“Trafficking methamphetamine in the Pan Handle continues to be an all too frequent occurrence,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “I’m proud of our agents and law enforcement partners with Leon County Sheriff’s Office for bringing this criminal to justice.”

The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe, drug-free streets, and President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to devote the full might of the Department of Justice toward dismantling the drug trafficking networks that have plagued our communities for far too long. I am proud to continue delivering on that promise with yet another successful prosecution and lengthy prison sentence for this peddler of poisonous drugs.”

Court documents reflect that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been investigating the defendant’s methamphetamine trafficking activity. On April 2, 2025, DEA observed the defendant traveling from Dothan, Alabama into Tallahassee, Florida. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle to arrest him for an active warrant out of Georgia. During the traffic stop, deputies found over 100 grams of methamphetamine, along with a set of digital scales.

The case involved an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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.