MIAMI – A federal grand jury has charged five South Florida defendants for their roles in a cocaine trafficking organization tied to an international network moving narcotics from Colombia through the Dominican Republic into South Florida. The indictment charges Daniel “Mickey” Hernandez, 38, of Miami; Frank Gonzalez, 45, of Hialeah...

Ocala, Fla. – Reshawn Graham (36, Ocala) and Tyrone Pierson (29, Ocala) have pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Graham faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. Pierson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in...

Jacksonville, Fla. – Issac Darnell Henderson (32, Jacksonville) has been charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including more than a pound-and-a-half of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The indictment also notifies Henderson that the United States intends...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sandro Escobedo, 37, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Monday for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and distribution of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob Beris announced...

A Florida woman and California man have been sentenced to 230 months and 330 months in prison, respectively, for the 2022 killing of a man in relation to a drug trafficking conspiracy. Both defendants had pleaded guilty to using a firearm to cause death and conspiring to distribute at least...

Tallahassee, Fla. – Ramon Velazquez Rodas, 46, of Tallahassee, Fla., has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for charges relating to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon. Court documents reflect that on August 11, 2022, as...

FRESNO, Calif. — Gilberto Arteaga, 43, of Michoacan, Mexico, illegally residing in Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 19 years and five months in prison for his role in a fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special...

Tallahassee, Fla. – Edward Lee Cromartie, 45, of Tallahassee, Fla., was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison following his conviction on charges relating to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. “The Panhandle of...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fabian Gomez, 37, was sentenced on Monday by Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. According to court documents, between August...

Pensacola, Fla. – Scott Oranje, 52, of Mary Esther, Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. “Mr. Oranje was...