TAMPA, Fla. - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, and A. Lee Bentley, III, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, announces today that U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Rick (33, Oldsmar) to two years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. In addition, he was ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervision, following his incarceration. As part of the sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $239,000, the proceeds of his oxycodone distribution. Higgins pleaded guilty on Oct. 16, 2013.
According to court documents, over a period of two to three years, Higgins used the U.S. mail to send packages of oxycodone to a co-conspirator in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Higgins received payments of over $239,000 from cash bank deposits made in Massachusetts, into accounts that he controlled.
This case was investigated by the DEA and the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Mr. Trouville commends the prosecution efforts of the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
