FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Walton Beach man has pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
Travaess McLemore, 41, entered the plea in federal court after investigators reportedly found methamphetamine in his vehicle and residence during an August search. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the plea on Monday.
According to federal prosecutors, an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on August 13, 2025. During the stop, a canine alerted to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed 84 grams of methamphetamine.
Deputies then executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence the same day, where investigators reportedly located approximately 1,548 grams of methamphetamine.
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U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said the case reflects ongoing joint efforts with state and federal law enforcement partners.
“Thanks to the outstanding work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, another drug dealer has been removed from our streets,” Mr Heekin said.
“The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone attempting to flood our streets with deadly drugs to achieve that outcome.”
Because of a prior conviction for a serious drug offense, Mr McLemore faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison and up to life.
Sentencing is set for February 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp is prosecuting the case.
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