United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced. In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the sentencing of the last of 16 defendants, federal prosecutors concluded prosecution of a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization operating primarily within Franklin and Gulf Counties. The convictions and sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Cooperative and...

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of an indictment charging Bradenton residents Nathasha Prieto (33) and Angel Hernandez Coss (37) with conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. If convicted on all counts, each faces...

TAMPA , Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Justin Roberson (34, Clearwater) pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Roberson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla . – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Edrick D. Jackson (28, Lake City) to five years in federal prison for distributing cocaine base (“crack” cocaine) and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Jackson to forfeit the ammunition and firearms...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Evaristo Marin-Dominguez (34, Michoacan, Mexico) to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Marin-Dominguez had pleaded guilty on April 26, 2022...

TAMPA , Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Ubertino Zavala-Perez (58, Plant City) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Zavala-Perez faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. According to the plea agreement, Zavala-Perez...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Stephen Lance Gamble, 46, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, on August 31, 2022, after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine or 500 grams or more...

O CALA , Fla . – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Jonathan Jermain Thomas (33, Ocala) to 38 years and 4 months years in federal prison. A federal jury had convicted Thomas on April 28, 2022, of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Beyah Islam Basha, 44, of Perry, Florida, of two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at...