Nathaniel Hatcher III, a 30-year-old resident of Jacksonville, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his role as the leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) and for participating in a drive-by shooting on Interstate 95. U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger handed down the sentence, which also includes an order to forfeit $2.2 million believed to be proceeds from the drug trafficking conspiracy. Hatcher pleaded guilty in September 2025.
Court documents reveal that Hatcher led a DTO that operated for eight years, moving large quantities of marijuana from Northern California to Jacksonville. The group used various methods to transport the drugs, including commercial airlines, the U.S. mail system, and vehicles crossing state lines. Once in Jacksonville, members distributed marijuana from short-term rental homes rented specifically for storage and distribution purposes. Firearms were kept at these locations to protect drugs and cash.
Hatcher was also involved in violent acts connected to the DTO’s operations. He enlisted former corrections officer Desmond Maxwell to illegally purchase firearms for himself and other group members.
Financially, Hatcher worked with Yaquasia Delcarmen to collect drug proceeds from DTO members and laundered over $2 million through sham business accounts. These funds were then spent on luxury items.
A failed drug transaction on September 18, 2023 led to further violence. After losing $45,000 during the deal at a gas station on Old St. Augustine Road, Hatcher sought help from a former police officer who provided him with information about those involved in the theft by accessing law enforcement databases without authorization. Over nearly a month, Hatcher and others tracked and surveilled these individuals while discussing retaliation.
On October 15, 2023, two DTO members stole cars from a rental lot with plans to use one in their planned attack. Two days later, after following one of their targets from the Duval County courthouse onto I-95 Southbound toward St. Johns County, Hatcher and another member fired dozens of rounds at the target’s vehicle using two different firearms before fleeing the scene.
The driver of the targeted Mercedes sedan survived after being airlifted for treatment; his passenger sustained injuries from broken glass but no gunshot wounds.
After his arrest in February 2024, Hatcher continued directing DTO activities through Delcarmen and instructed associates to tamper with witnesses and destroy evidence.
Several co-conspirators have already been sentenced or pleaded guilty:
- Tavarius Blue: Sentenced to 12 years
- Yaquasia DelCarmen: Sentenced to 8 years
- Al’Donta Easterling: Sentenced to 10 years
- Darion Jerido: Sentenced to 6 years, 6 months
- Briyhon Johnson: Sentenced to 14 years, 3 months
Others have entered guilty pleas related either to marijuana distribution or firearm offenses; some face sentences ranging up to life imprisonment.
“Hatcher and his drug crew planned and executed a brazen drive-by shooting in broad daylight on I-95, putting dozens of law-abiding Americans in danger of losing their lives,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Now, he will spend decades in federal prison where he can no longer terrorize the Jacksonville community thanks to the combined efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who investigated and prosecuted this case.”
“The tenacious work by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in this case ensured that the members of this drug trafficking organization were brought to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.“We will continue to leverage our resources, whenever necessary, to protect our communities from violence and harm.”
“This case demonstrates the unwavering commitment of HSI to protect our communities from the dangers posed by drug trafficking and violent crime,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tim Hemker. “The dismantlement of this violent drug trafficking organization and the sentencing of these defendants will have a lasting impact on the safety of our community.”
“The judge delivered a punishment that matches the danger this defendant posed to communities,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “The message is simple: profit from poison, and you pay for it. IRS CI and our partners will follow the money across jurisdictions to shut down traffickers and every coconspirator who launders their profits.”
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), St Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO), Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration as well as transnational criminal organizations—using resources coordinated through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
