DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
12 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Four People Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

MIAMI – Four South Florida residents have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl and meth. On Jan. 16, Gito St. Fort, 35, of West Palm Beach, Fla., a career criminal, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance resulting...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Importer/Supplier and Sex Trafficker Sentenced to Life in Prison

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Joseph Marion, 41, of St. Petersburg, Fla., to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine; distributing fentanyl; distributing a mixture of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in serious bodily injury; and possessing...
PRESS RELEASE

Orlando Man Found Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl that Resulted in Death

ORLANDO, Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Joel David Fonseca Flores (42, Orlando) guilty of conspiring to distribute fentanyl that resulted in death. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing...
PRESS RELEASE

Miami DEA Stress Fentanyl Dangers During Community Stakeholder Meeting

MIAMI—Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division personnel recently hosted an Operation Engage South Florida meeting with community stakeholders at First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to stress the dangers of fentanyl—especially regarding children. Operation Engage South F lorida is an opportunity to keep fentanyl prevention, awareness, and education...
PRESS RELEASE

Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Life in Prison for Causing Fatal Overdose

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Justin Kelly (36, New Port Richey) to concurrent terms of life in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and 15 years’ imprisonment for three counts of...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer’s Product Kills a Man — Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

MIAMI – A South Florida fentanyl dealer whose product killed a man was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison for the distribution of a controlled substance. On April 15, 2021, Donte McCray met with another man at a 7-11 convenience store in Lake Worth, Fla., with the...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Miami Field Division Warns of Alarming Increase in Suspected Fentanyl-Related Overdoses in Florida

MIAMI - Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division has issued a Public Safety Alert to warn Florida communities of the increase of mass-overdose events across the state suspected to be related to drug supplies laced with a synthetic opioid. While law enforcement agencies continue to investigate these...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Overdose Death

MIAMI – A South Florida fentanyl dealer whose product killed a man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today. On May 19, 2021, 21-year-old Peterson Nozinord drove another man, age 27, to a motel in Lantana, Florida. Nozinord checked the man into a room by using Nozinord’s identification...
PRESS RELEASE

Ten-Time Convicted Felon Who Trafficked Fentanyl Causing Deaths Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison

TAMPA , Fla . – On January 11, 2022, U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew sentenced Derrick Hutchins (36, Tampa) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Hutchins had pleaded guilty on October 13, 2021. According to court documents, on April 26...
PRESS RELEASE

Juries Return Guilty Verdicts Against Couple for Murdering Government Witness

OCALA, Fla. – Following eight days of trial in federal court, David Chappell Fey (57, Belleview) and Shari Lynn Gunter (58, Ocklawaha) have each been found guilty as charged for the murder of a government witness. The trial required special accommodations: a separate jury heard evidence for each defendant. In...