WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration will host public listening sessions to receive comments from healthcare practitioners, experts, advocates, patients, and other members of the public to inform DEA’s regulations on prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine. The listening sessions will be held in person and livestreamed with remote participation available...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Austin Harper (26, Lake City) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Harper faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date...

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Juan Antonio Ortiz-Valle (54, Mexico) to six (6) years and three (3) months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Ortiz-Valle had pleaded guilty...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - United States Attorney Roger Handberg announced that the Christian & Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $250,000 to resolve allegations that the Christian & Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to maintain records required by...

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury found Dr. Qing McGaha guilty of 14 counts of unlawful drug distribution, four (4) counts of money laundering, and one (1) count of filing a false tax return. McGaha faces a maximum penalty of...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In excess of 50 individuals have been arrested on warrants related to drug-trafficking as part of a long-term investigation conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration, local, and state law enforcement. The arrests were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “I...

OCALA, Fla. – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Uriel Fajardo-Albarran (28, Coleman) to 23 years in federal prison. A federal jury previously convicted Fajardo-Albarran of conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and three other drug distribution counts on January 6, 2023. According to...

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...

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Angel Hernandez Coss (38, Bradenton) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Hernandez Coss had pleaded guilty on January 17, 2023. According to court documents, Hernandez Coss and his...

OCALA, F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of an indictment charging Brian Keith Coleman (33, Tallahassee) with possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. If convicted, Coleman faces a minimum mandatory term of 10 years, up to...