DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
43 Results - Showing 21 to 30
PRESS RELEASE

South Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Conspiracy to Distribute Protonitazene from China

MIAMI – A south Florida defendant pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a synthetic opioid, protonitazene. Will Catis, Sr. (Catis), 42, of Deerfield Beach, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal. According to the agreed upon factual proffer, on April 12, 2022...
PRESS RELEASE

Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Over 6,000 Kilograms of Cocaine into the United States

TAMPA, F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Eliezer De Leon-Lopez (38, Guatemala), a/k/a “Wiro Loco” and “Daniel Martinez,” pleaded guilty today to conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Colombian Criminal Organization Pleads Guilty to Sending Over 19,000 Kilograms of Cocaine Via Semi-Submersible Vessels to Sinaloa Cartel

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Nestor Hugo Gomez-Garcia (38, Colombia), a/k/a “Simon,” “Guava,” and “Guavita,” pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine on vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up...
PRESS RELEASE

Jacksonville Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

JACKSONVILLE, F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Diandre Murel (29, Jacksonville Beach) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. Murel faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not...
PRESS RELEASE

St. Cloud Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

ORLANDO, Fla. - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Robert J. Potocnack (42, St. Cloud) has pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking...
PRESS RELEASE

Sixteen Individuals Plead Guilty in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy “Operation Titan Fall”

ORLANDO, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that 16 individuals, charged in three (3) indictments, have all pleaded guilty to their respective roles in conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine, in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) “Operation Titan Fall” investigation. This investigation yielded evidence...
PRESS RELEASE

Members of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Plead Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges in Operation “Titan Fall”

ORLANDO , Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Carlos Alberto Roman (56, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances and possessing a firearm equipped with a silencer in furtherance of that drug crime. Roman faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 30 years, up...
PRESS RELEASE

Miami-Area Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-District Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Hector Enrique Veliz Villeda (30, Hialeah) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Veliz Villeda faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has...
PRESS RELEASE

Clearwater Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamine

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Plant City Man Pleads Guilty to Mexican Methamphetamine Drug Conspiracy

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...