Franklin County man sentenced for charges related to trafficking meth

FLORIDA – A Franklin County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for charges related to drug trafficking, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida has announced.

John E. Evans, 55, of Eastpoint, Florida, was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, said Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said Coody.

“This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”

Court documents reflect that Evans conspired to distribute approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine along with other federal defendants. On September 28, 2021, and October 9, 2021, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Evans.

“We are thankful for the partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith.

“This kind of sentence sends a clear message that the sale of meth in our community will not be tolerated.”

Evans qualified as a Career Offender and had an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence based on his prior criminal history. Evans had previously been to prison on multiple occasions, primarily for drug-trafficking offenses, and had 10 prior convictions involving the sale of a controlled substance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.