Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
David Blackman III, a 39-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine as well as mixtures containing fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “In launching Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a promise to devote the full resources of the Justice Department toward stopping the flood of deadly drugs plaguing our streets, and this successful prosecution is yet another step toward fulfilling that promise. Along with our dedicated state and federal law enforcement partners, my office stands ready to continue delivering on that promise until our streets are safe and our communities are drug-free.”
Court records indicate that Blackman sold narcotics from his home in Pensacola. In December 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence where they found more than $8,500 in cash and over 850 grams of methamphetamine along with other drugs including fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge at DEA Miami Field Division said: “Removing this polydrug distributor from the streets is another step toward making our communities safer. This joint investigation was the result of great work between our agents and law enforcement partners.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Etherton prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—an initiative aimed at using all available resources from the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration issues as well as eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices across the country acting under guidance from the Attorney General. More information about court documents can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or by visiting http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
