United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Tallahassee, Fla. – Nicholas Michael Freeman, 48, of Perry, Fla., was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This repeat offender clearly did not learn his lesson from his prior stint in federal prison, so my office has sent him back behind bars to ensure he can’t continue to peddle deadly drugs on our streets. We will continue to aggressively prosecute any and all drug dealers operating in the Northern District of Florida to deliver on the promise of Operation Take Back America that our citizens deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities.”

Court documents reflect that a Perry Police Department officer speaking with a group of individuals around a burn barrel observed the defendant manipulating a plastic baggie commonly used for street sales of narcotics, containing what the officer believed to be a pill. The officer handcuffed the defendant removed the baggie from his pocket and determined that it actually contained a piece of crack cocaine. The defendant was arrested and officers searched the fanny pack he had been wearing, finding 57 small baggies containing methamphetamine, 99 small baggies containing crack and powder cocaine, and 25 small baggies and nine large sandwich style bags containing synthetic cannabinoids.

“Freeman has been engaged in serious criminal activity for more than three decades, with a lengthy history that includes convictions for lewd assault/sexual battery involving a victim under 16, cocaine sale and distribution offenses, and other drug-related crimes,” said Perry Police Department Chief James N. Cruse Jr. “This case is another example of the outstanding work performed every day by Perry Police Department officers. The patrol officer involved recognized what he was observing, acted lawfully and professionally, and conducted a thorough investigation that directly led to Freeman’s arrest and subsequent federal conviction. I commend the officer and all personnel involved for their attention to detail and commitment to protecting our community.”

The defendant’s federal sentence will begin after he serves a 30-month state sentence for violation of probation. 

This is the second time the defendant has been sentenced to federal prison. The defendant was previously convicted in 2013 of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.

“This repeat offender continues to traffic illicit and dangerous substances in Florida Pan Handle communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “This area is a point of emphasis for our agents, which is reflected in the number of criminals we’ve brought to justice.”

The case involved an investigation by the Perry Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

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.