United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Pensacola, Fla. – Kawana D. Gamble, 46, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges and plea.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution underscores my office’s commitment to aggressively pursuing and dismantling the networks of drug traffickers flooding our streets with drugs. With assistance from the Gulf Coast HIDTA, our state and federal law enforcement partners are doing excellent work investigating and disrupting these drug trafficking operations, and my office will continue to deliver wins for our community to ensure our citizens get the safe, drug-free streets that they deserve.” 

According to court documents, between May 2024 and September 2025, the defendant conspired with others to distribute powder and crack cocaine in the Okaloosa County area. The investigation involved controlled purchases, a search warrant executed at the defendant’s house, and a search of the defendant’s cell phone data. As a result, law enforcement seized more than 660 grams of cocaine and more than 50 grams of crack cocaine from the defendant.

Gamble’s sentencing has been set for December 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. For both the conspiracy and substantive counts, Gamble faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years’ up to a total of 80 years’ imprisonment. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. 

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.