Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Juan Soliz (24, Pomona Park) and Kayla Soto (23, Pomona Park) for transporting two kilograms of cocaine from Texas to Florida. Soliz was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and Soto was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison. Pursuant to their plea agreements, they have agreed to forfeit a Chevrolet Traverse and a Mercedes Benz E350 that were used to transport the cocaine. In addition, they will forfeit $5,335, which are traceable proceeds of the offense. Soliz and Soto pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2016.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2016, the couple drove the Mercedes Benz from Palatka, Florida to Waycross, Georgia, where they received instructions from a co-defendant regarding the pickup location for a shipment of cocaine. Soliz and Soto then drove to Houston, Texas, stopped briefly to pick up two kilograms of cocaine, and then immediately started their return trip to Florida.
Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol, working with DEA, stopped Soliz and Soto as they entered Putnam County on June 28, 2016. The two kilograms of cocaine were located inside a hidden compartment in the trunk of the car.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
