David Kennedy, Michael McQueen, and Roosevelt Jones, all residents of Milton, Florida, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation in Santa Rosa County. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Working with our state and local partners, federal law enforcement was able to dismantle a significant drug trafficking ring that plagued Santa Rosa County for years,” stated United States Attorney Heekin. “We are pleased with this successful operation, in particular, because all three men are repeat drug trafficking offenders. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America by cracking down on the drug traffickers plaguing our communities, and my office will not stop aggressively pursuing those who seek to victimize our citizens by flooding our streets with poisonous drugs.”
The investigation involved covert undercover purchases of illegal drugs, surveillance, and wiretap intercepts authorized by the judiciary. These efforts led to multiple search warrants being executed in Milton and resulted in the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, firearms, and illicit currency.
Kennedy received a 15-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. McQueen was sentenced to 11½ years in prison with six years of supervised release. Jones was sentenced to 6½ years in prison followed by six years of supervised release.
“Partnerships are key to disrupting drug trafficking activity, and we have great partners,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Our communities will be safer with these drug peddlers off the streets.”
Sheriff Bob Johnson from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of collaboration among various agencies: “The successful collaboration between the federal, state, local agencies, and our Narcotics Detectives has been instrumental in removing dangerous drugs from our streets.”
The case involved cooperation among several law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office; Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Pensacola Police Department; Gulf Breeze Police Department; and Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg prosecuted the case.
This operation is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
For more information about court documents or details regarding this case visit the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Florida website or contact the United States Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Florida.
