Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Rayvaughn L. Andrews, a 41-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, has entered a guilty plea in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering. This development was announced by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Those who think they can profit and live lavish lifestyles off drug trafficking in the Northern District of Florida are sorely mistaken, and will soon find themselves in federal prison. Fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America, my office is fully committed to working with our brave federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively pursue drug traffickers to ensure those who flood our communities with dangerous drugs are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court documents indicate that from 2021 until his arrest in late 2024, Andrews conspired with others to distribute significant quantities of cocaine across state lines. The cocaine was distributed in kilogram "brick" quantities within Escambia County, Florida. Additionally, Andrews laundered proceeds from these activities through casinos located in Mississippi and Nevada, involving approximately $10 million.
Andrews could face life imprisonment along with the forfeiture of about $40,000 in U.S. currency and a Chevrolet Corvette seized during his arrest.
The investigation involved collaboration among several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing for Andrews is set for September 23, 2025 at 9:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the Attorney General's direction.
