Bradenton Man Convicted of Using Cash App to Sell Heroin, Meth, and Cocaine

A federal jury recently convicted a Bradenton man on drug and gun charges after prosecutors say he used Cash App to sell heroin, cocaine, and meth. The 43-year-old suspect is facing charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm for a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 4 years with a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the defendant after receiving a complaint that he was selling fentanyl through Cash App, according to a news release. Over the next several months, investigators say they saw frequent visitors make exchanges with the defendant at his home. His Cash App records indicate that he was paid tens of thousands of dollars over a short period of time, the news release said.

Investigators said that many of his customers had known drug addiction problems and used coded language such as “Scooby Snacks” which is a street term for heroin or fentanyl. On Aug. 4 2022, detectives searched the suspect’s home where they say they found a loaded handgun, $22,000 in cash, 400 grams of cocaine, 55 grams of meth, and 80 grams of fentanyl. They also found a money counter, a kilo press, drug-cutting agents, and scales.

A search of the defendant’s storage unit uncovered three more guns including an AK-47 rifle, several dozen rounds of ammunition, two kilos of cocaine, more than 350 grams of meth, drug-cutting agents, and a digital scale.

The defendant has previously done 15 years in state prison for trafficking cocaine. He agreed to forfeit all the firearms found at his home and storage unit, according to the news release. He was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison on the charges.

Drug schedules and possession charges 

21 U.S.C. § 841 (a) defines the crime of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The law is part of the Controlled Substances Act which prohibits the manufacture and distribution of specific controlled substances. The Act classifies drugs in terms of “schedules” based on their potential for abuse, risk of dependence, and accepted medical use. The classification of a drug under the Controlled Substances Act significantly affects the penalties under the statute.

Schedule 1 substances, for example, have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision. At present, marijuana is considered a Schedule I substance under federal law.

Talk to a Tallahassee Drug Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer Today 

Luke Newman, P.A. represents the interests of those who have been charged with serious drug offenses in the Tallahassee area. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.

Source:

bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article290297994.html