MIAMI - Three men from the St. Lucie County and Polk County area, have been sentenced to federal prison terms for trafficking methamphetamine. The men were prosecuted as part of a long-term investigation that led to the seizure of approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, 26 firearms (including several semi-automatic rifles), and a bulletproof vest.
Lance Ratterree, 44, was sentenced on October 7, by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, to 130 months’ imprisonment after being convicted of distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Kevin Tergliafera, 42, was sentenced on Sept. 16, by Judge Cannon, to 90 months’ imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Edwin Fernando Fernandez, Jr., 53, was sentenced on Sept. 16, by Judge Cannon, to 56 months’ imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Miami; Robert M. DeWitt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami; Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Miami; St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara; and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the sentences.
DEA Miami, FBI Miami, ATF Miami, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was part of Operation Blown Gasket, which is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. The OCDETF program facilitates complex, joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.
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, under case number 22-cr-14013.
