Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Taj Tariq Tamboura Robinson, 35, of Fort Walton Beach, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “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.”
Court records show that from 2018 through 2023, Robinson acted as a high-level distributor in a drug trafficking and money laundering group. He supplied large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana to other dealers within the Northern District of Florida and beyond. Robinson and his associates laundered proceeds from these activities by purchasing real estate and vehicles under other people’s names.
“Bringing this polydrug distributor to justice was a group effort, and I appreciate the work our law enforcement partners did to make this happen,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Our North Florida communities will be safer with him off the streets.”
Sheriff Eric Aden of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office commented: “The ongoing commitment and teamwork leading to arrests like Robinson’s shows the level of local dedication that exists to rid our streets of dangerous narcotics. We are proud to play a key role in putting those who peddle these poisons behind bars.”
Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker from IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office added: “Today’s sentencing serves as a reminder to criminals that if you attempt to launder drug money in Northern Florida, you will be caught and sentenced to serious prison time. Through the outstanding joint investigative efforts of the IRS, DEA, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, this defendant is off the street and no longer able to peddle poison in our communities.”
Robinson's sentence includes 13 years in prison followed by six years of supervised release. Authorities also seized over $265,000 in cash, two vehicles, and several pieces of jewelry from Robinson and his co-conspirators.
The investigation involved cooperation between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes along with former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Love.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), an initiative aimed at using resources from agencies such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to combat illegal immigration, cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and violent crime across communities.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices nationwide serving as principal litigators for the Department of Justice under direction from the Attorney General. Additional information about court documents can be found at U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or on http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
