Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Office, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office announced that Samuel Martinez, 41, of Avon Park, Florida, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg to 18 years in prison for armed drug trafficking.
Martinez previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Case No. 19cr14022).
According to the court record, on March 12, 2019, law enforcement officers from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant for a hotel room in Avon Park. Martinez was found inside the hotel room, along with over three pounds of methamphetamine, some of which had been packaged for resale, and a loaded Springfield Armory.45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
Methamphetamine is a dangerous and highly addictive controlled substance. This case involved one of the largest single seizures of methamphetamine in Highlands County, to date.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the DEA and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
