The US Attorney’s Office announced July 28 that a Gainesville man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug trafficking as part of the Department of Justice’s “Operation Take Back America” initiative.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin announced in a news release that Eric Shirone Thompson was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, marijuana, cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the release, when law enforcement arrived at Thompson’s residence, Thompson tried to flush fentanyl down the toilet. Officials found two loaded firearms and drug paraphernalia, including baggies and cooking utensils with cocaine residue.
Additionally, Heekin said Thompson conspired with others to possess and distribute cocaine, marijuana and molly.
In a March 6 memo, the Department of Justice established the “Operation Take Back America” initiative, which tasks the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces to utilize resources to prevent illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations and end illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and people.
Thompson’s arrest was part of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Gainesville Police Department (GPD).
Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said in a news release that his department is committed to working with federal agencies to hold offenders accountable and to protect the safety of residents.
“This case and subsequent federal prosecution sends a clear message: we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our community,” Moya said in the release.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville man pleads guilty to drug trafficking, sentenced to federal prison
Reporting by Staff report / The Gainesville Sun
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