United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Tallahassee, Fla. – Frederick Allen Smith, Jr., 54, of Madison, Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are cleaning up our streets and removing dangerous armed drug traffickers from our communities, and my office is backing up those efforts with aggressive prosecutions to ensure anyone who peddles deadly drugs in the Northern District of Florida is kept behind federal bars for as long as possible. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche, we are devoting the full might of the Department of Justice toward delivering the safe, drug-free streets that our citizens deserve.”

Court documents reflect that in May 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence, where deputies seized 703 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, ammunition, and more than $17,000 in cash. The defendant has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 2005 and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The defendant faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine count; a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment consecutive to other sentences on the possession of a firearm in furtherance count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Emma Schwan is prosecuting the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2026, at 1:00pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.