Two Pensacola residents, Calvin D. Thomas, Jr., 30, and Satori Ashanti Keys, 45, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to armed drug trafficking. The indictment includes conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, over 500 grams of cocaine, and marijuana. Both men also face one count each of possession with intent to distribute these substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges on Thursday.
Thomas is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon on August 12 at 11:00am in Pensacola. Keys will also appear for his initial appearance and arraignment at the same time and location.
If found guilty as charged, both men could face up to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
“An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial,” according to the statement from prosecutors.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), an initiative designed to use Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. The operation coordinates efforts from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the Attorney General’s direction. More information about public court documents can be found through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
