Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Drug Charges
Drug charges are punished harshly in Florida. A person can face serious criminal charges, especially if they have drugs in their possession while committing other crimes, such as battery or robbery.
A North Fort Myers man was arrested in June 2023 for battering and robbing a woman. Police officers searched the man’s home and found large amounts of various drugs. He recently pled guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The 49-year-old man battered a woman and held her against her will. He then robbed her at gunpoint. Once the woman was able to escape, she ran to a nearby gas station and called for help.
The man was arrested and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on his home. There, deputies found a large amount of drugs, including 312 grams of fentanyl, 218 grams of methamphetamine, 163 grams of cocaine, and approximately 130 miscellaneous prescription pills.
The man pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including trafficking charges for oxycodone, amphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. He also pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cannabis, and possession of a place with knowledge of trafficking sale.
Drug Trafficking in Florida
Drug trafficking involves the illegal production, distribution, and sale of controlled substances. Florida has strict drug trafficking laws under Florida Statutes § 893.135, which impose severe penalties based on the type and quantity of drugs involved. Examples include:
- Marijuana – 25+ lbs or 300+ plants
- Cocaine – 28+ grams
- Heroin – 4+ grams
- Methamphetamine – 14+ grams
- Oxycodone – 7+ grams
- Fentanyl – 4+ grams
Common signs of drug trafficking include:
- Frequent short visits. High foot traffic with visitors staying for only a few minutes.
- Unusual business hours. Activity late at night or at odd times.
- Excessive security measures. Surveillance cameras, barred windows, or guard dogs.
- Large cash transactions. Frequent cash deposits or purchases without a clear source of income.
- Multiple vehicles. Different cars making brief stops at a location.
- Suspicious packages. Receiving or shipping large quantities of packages, often unmarked.
- Chemical smells. Strong odors from places like homes, garages, or warehouses.
- Paranoid behavior. Frequent lookouts, coded language, or avoiding eye contact.
- Altered property use. Businesses with little legitimate activity but high cash flow.
- Weapons or violence. Presence of firearms, aggressive behavior, or threats.
Contact Us Today
Drug charges are often third degree felonies, but there are cases when a person can face much more serious felony charges for having excessive amounts of drugs in their possession or for committing other crimes involving drugs.
A felony drug charge comes with serious consequences. Get the legal help you need from Fort Myers drug charges attorney from Hollander & Hanuka. We are committed to defending individuals charged with drug offenses and working to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Call (239) 332-3300 (Fort Myers) to schedule a consultation with our office.
Source:
gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/north-fort-myers-man-prison-sentence-drug-trafficking/64159418
