Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Dillon Devontrez Royster, a 31-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin commented on the case: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring this drug trafficker to justice. This is yet another important case by my office fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing criminal offenders who victimize our communities. We will not stop until we have rid our streets of these criminals who peddle in violence and addiction.”
Cheryl Harrell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at ATF Tampa Field Division, remarked: “This is a huge win for public safety in Northwest Florida. Armed drug trafficking is a serious crime – this investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to remove an armed drug trafficker from our communities.”
The conviction followed an April 17, 2024 search conducted by members of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives at Royster's residence. Authorities discovered approximately 1,851 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and numerous firearms.
The investigation was carried out jointly by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that uses resources from the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. Further information about this office is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
