Marion County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
Ocala, Fla. – Phillip Washington, III a/k/a “Lil’ Phil” (33, Marion County) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Washington was found guilty on April 2, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
"This amount of fentanyl could contain 2 million potential deadly doses," said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. "Getting these dangerous substances and the distributor off the streets will save lives."
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, on May 13, 2024, the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) executed a search warrant on Washington’s residence. A search revealed that Washington possessed with intent to distribute 3,034 grams of actual methamphetamine, 885 grams of fentanyl, and 302 grams of cocaine. A large portion of the controlled substances were found in a duffle bag on the dining table. Washington was also in possession of multiple scales and other items consistent with the packaging and distribution of controlled substances. His residence was equipped with a video-recorded security system. Footage from the system showed Washington bringing the duffle bag containing the controlled substances into his residence.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team.