United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Damian Sierra (43, Port St. Lucie) guilty of possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Sierra faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Sierra had been indicted on January 20, 2022.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, agents conducting surveillance observed Sierra drive to a location, get out of his car with a Christmas gift bag, and meet with another person. After Sierra left the location, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office pulled him over for a tint violation on his vehicle. Inside the car, agents recovered a Christmas gift bag containing a kilogram of cocaine wrapped in tape, personal items belonging to Sierra, and a drug ledger. At the time of the incident, the drugs found with Sierra had a wholesale value of approximately $40,000.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa District Office and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
More information about this case can be found at https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov or https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov
