Panama City Trio Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Meth
Tallahassee, Fla. – Damarius M. Mimms, 31, of Panama City, Fla., was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cara Rene Frazier, 30, and Ashley Rich, 43, both of Panama City, Florida, were each sentenced to over six years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and this successful prosecution by my tenacious team of federal prosecutors, we have dismantled this trafficking operation and sent these drug peddlers to federal prison. This should serve as yet another strong warning to anyone selling drugs in my district that the only thing they have to look forward to is an extended stay behind federal bars. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche promised to deliver safe, drug-free streets for our citizens, and that is exactly what my office will ensure through continued aggressive prosecutions like this one.”
Court documents reflect that between January 1, 2024, and September 18, 2024, Frazier, Mimms, and Rich were responsible for distributing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine in the Panama City Beach area. A joint law enforcement investigation was initiated after suspicious packages addressed to Frazier were identified by the United States Post Office. The investigation revealed that the co-defendants worked together to import significant quantities of methamphetamine from the Orlando area and then distributed it throughout the Panama City area.
“The defendants in this case took a chance trafficking narcotics through the mail, and will now spend a significant amount of time in federal prison,” said Bladismir Rojo, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The United States Postal Inspection Service will continue to work with its law enforcement partners in cases such as this, in order to prevent drugs from reaching the streets.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.
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.
