A Crestview couple has been convicted on federal charges following a drug and firearm investigation, according to an announcement from John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
On August 18, 2025, Shantel Marie Powell was found guilty by a federal jury of making a false statement to a federal agent. Her husband, Kevin Lamonte Powell Jr., had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from violent felons and drug traffickers, and this case is yet another victory toward achieving that goal. Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and we will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the armed criminals flooding our streets with dangerous drugs and their accomplices. I am deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that led to this successful prosecution.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that on January 31, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants at an outbuilding in Crestview used by Kevin Powell for storing and distributing drugs as well as at the Powells’ home in Pensacola. Authorities seized fentanyl, packaging equipment including two large kilogram presses, five firearms (one being a so-called “ghost gun” without manufacturer markings or serial number), ammunition, and evidence indicating drug distribution activities. During the search warrant execution, Shantel Powell falsely told a federal task force officer she had purchased one firearm at a specific gun store in Crestview.
Kevin Powell’s sentencing is set for November 13, 2025; he faces up to 45 years in prison. Shantel Powell will be sentenced on November 18, 2025; she faces up to five years.
The investigation involved several agencies: Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; Crestview Police Department; Niceville Police Department; with support from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), an initiative using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration, cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and violent crime perpetrators by coordinating efforts through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
