Paperwork filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida by the Drug Enforcement Administration indicates the federal government’s desire to seize the home of a man accused of drug dealing. The home, located on Baum Road, is owned by a 57-year-old man who was arrested on Jan. 17 along with two other men during a raid on the property.
Court filings from federal investigators allege that the home served as a distribution hub for cocaine and methamphetamine. Agents used hidden surveillance cameras to monitor the 8.23-acre property around the single-story home. Confidential informants and wiretaps also produced evidence for their case against the man. Over a period of five months, investigators reported that they documented more than 50 transactions for large amounts of drugs at the house.
Authorities have charged the owner of the home with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of methamphetamine with an intent to distribute. As a previously convicted felon, he also received a charge for possessing a firearm. He remains jailed by the federal government. The two other men, ages 35 and 46, arrested in the raid stand accused of acting as his primary drug couriers.
Serious federal drug charges could impose severe penalties on an offender if convicted. Legal advice could help a person make an informed decision about how to enter a plea. An attorney’s evaluation of the evidence could provide insights into the strength of a prosecutor’s case. When possible, an attorney might challenge the validity of evidence and try to convince a prosecutor to reduce charges.
