Marion County Man Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
Ocala, Fla. – Jimmy Deon Lofton (46, Ocala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to eight years and one month in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Lofton pleaded guilty plea on May 28, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on July 1, 2025, the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) executed a search warrant at Lofton’s residence. Agents recovered numerous controlled substances, including approximately 173 grams of fentanyl, 31 grams of methamphetamine, 260 grams of MDMA, and over 1,000 grams of cocaine. Some of the substances were buried in an ammunition can in the backyard. Agents also obtained a search warrant for a home security DVR system Lofton had installed. That DVR system revealed numerous videos of Lofton packaging and selling controlled substances at his residence.
“The fentanyl seized from this polydrug distributor could contain approximately 173,000 deadly doses,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “Getting this criminal off the streets will save lives for sure.”
This case was investigated by the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration.