Five Members of Pinellas County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Charged and Arrested
TAMPA, Fla. –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Jovante Raschod Thomas, a/k/a “Wood,” a/k/a “Tae” (40, Pinellas Park), Troy Lydell Mctier Jr. (29, St. Petersburg), Adrian Fulton Ashby, (50, St. Petersburg) Marquesha Dequaila Leseon Isaac a/k/a “Auntie,” a/k/a “Angie” (36, St. Peterburg), and Santino Eduardo Jimenez (39, Clearwater), with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. If convicted on all counts, Jovante Thomas faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, and up to, life in federal prison. Troy Mctier and Santino Jimenez each face a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment. Adrian Ashby and Marquesha Isaac each face up to 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit any assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, from at least October 2020, through January 4, 2022, the defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl throughout the Middle District of Florida.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa District Office and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as part of operation “Clean Up” – an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov. Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).
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