ELLENTON, Fla. — A 20-year-old Ellenton man has pleaded guilty to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl and cocaine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Friday.
Alexis Soto Escalante admitted to conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
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According to court documents, on May 22, 2024, Soto Escalante provided 55.9 grams of fentanyl to his co-defendant, Traveous Anderson. Agents reportedly recovered the drugs when Mr Anderson was arrested later that day.
Later that same day, Mr Soto Escalante was arrested at Anderson’s apartment, where he had gone to collect payment. During the arrest, agents reportedly recovered 641 grams of cocaine and 3.7 grams of fentanyl from the vehicle he was driving.
A subsequent search of Soto Escalante’s residence reportedly uncovered an additional 14.03 grams of cocaine in his bedroom.
Mr Anderson’s case is said to be still pending trial.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Chang is prosecuting the case.
