Jarrel Daniel Rivaz, a 35-year-old resident of Panama City, Florida, has been sentenced to twelve years in federal prison following his conviction on charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rivaz was found guilty of possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and marijuana, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
John P. Heekin stated: “Outstanding work by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to dismantle this drug trafficking operation and get this repeat felon off our streets and back in prison where he belongs. My office stands ready to aggressively prosecute these drug traffickers to the fullest extent of the law, and we will not rest until the Northern District of Florida is drug-free and safe.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that on December 21, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rivaz’s residence in Panama City. During the search, authorities seized over 900 grams of cocaine, more than 10 kilograms of marijuana, two firearms, and ammunition. One loaded firearm was discovered inside a locked shed along with some marijuana. Authorities also noted that Rivaz had previously been convicted under the name “Gerald Walker” for felony drug trafficking in New York.
The investigation leading to Rivaz’s conviction involved cooperation between the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Walter Narramore and Alicia Forbes prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime 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 among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about this office is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
