Pensacola drug traffickers sentenced to federal prison

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Six Pensacola residents have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an Escambia County drug trafficking organization.

On Wednesday, Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentences of six defendants who were indicted in multiple cases and convicted for their participation in a drug trafficking ring previously active in Escambia County, Florida.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service spearheaded a comprehensive multi-agency investigation that led to the prosecutions.

“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said Mr Coody.

“We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentences illustrate the significant consequences of harming our citizens through their illicit drug trafficking activities.”

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida (USAO), from November 2021 through March 2023, law enforcement seized over 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, over a kilogram of cocaine, over 1300 grams of fentanyl, multiple pounds of marijuana, a quantity of heroin, and 12 firearms.

“We are proud of the combined efforts of our federal, state, and local partners,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.

“This successful investigation will have a lasting impact on the availability of dangerous drugs in our area. Our commitment to safe communities remains strong.”

As a result of the joint investigation, the following defendants were convicted on drug trafficking charges and/or firearm offenses, and have been sentenced to the following in federal court:

Brandon M. Anderson, 32, was sentenced to 20 years in prison; Oddie A. Mims, 35, to 12 years; Ackrulmauert P. Mims, 30, to 12 years; Keontre M. Dortch, 30, to 10 years; William Contreras, 27, to seven years; and Bryant Lee Williams, 43, to five years.

Each will also be required to serve a term of supervised release following their prison sentence.

The cases resulted from a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Pensacola Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Gulf Breeze Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love prosecuted the case.