U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger has sentenced Yaquasia Delcarmen, a 28-year-old resident of Jacksonville, to eight years in federal prison for her involvement in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana and commit money laundering. The court also ordered the forfeiture of $1,760,210, representing the proceeds from the drug trafficking operation. Delcarmen had entered a guilty plea on June 27, 2024.
Court documents reveal that between October 2022 and April 2024, Delcarmen managed and supervised an armed drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by her boyfriend, Nathaniel Hatcher III. The DTO sourced large quantities of marijuana from northern California grow operations. The drugs were then transported back to Jacksonville via commercial flights by DTO members, including Delcarmen. Upon arrival in Jacksonville, the marijuana was distributed from short-term rental homes located mainly in the Riverside and San Marco neighborhoods.
Delcarmen played a significant role in collecting drug proceeds and laundering them through bank accounts she controlled with Hatcher. The DTO used sham business accounts for laundering purposes. Both Delcarmen and Hatcher used these funds for luxury purchases such as vehicles, rental homes, and vacations to Miami, Hawaii, and California.
After Hatcher's arrest in February 2024, Delcarmen continued to operate on his behalf while he was incarcerated. She coordinated further drug sales and attempted to obstruct the federal investigation by publicly posting a witness's identity on social media at Hatcher’s direction.
In related proceedings, other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to their roles within the DTO. Desmond Maxwell admitted to straw-purchasing firearms for drug trafficking crimes and could face up to 25 years in prison. Al’Donta Easterling pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to distributing marijuana and possessing firearms during drug crimes; he faces a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment. James Toney admitted guilt concerning similar charges along with a drive-by shooting; he faces at least 15 years up to life imprisonment. Nathaniel Hatcher has been indicted and is scheduled for trial next year.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation aimed at disrupting high-level criminal networks using multi-agency cooperation.
The investigation involved several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service among others. Assistant United States Attorneys Aakash Singh and Kirwinn Mike are prosecuting the case.
