Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Federal Prison

TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Mitchell Wilson (35, Tampa) to 20 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Wilson to forfeit a Smith & Wesson Model M&P Shield 9mm pistol and assorted ammunition, which were instrumentalities of the offense. Wilson entered a guilty plea on November 22, 2023.

According to court documents, Wilson was a major narcotics distributor in the Middle District of Florida. On September 13, 2022, Wilson sold fentanyl to a confidential source. Three days later, agents seized 97 grams of pure methamphetamine, 36 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, cocaine, and a scale from a backpack that also contained a loaded firearm, as Wilson carried it from his hotel room to his car.

Wilson acknowledged he had sourced more than two (2) kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine from a drug trafficking organization in Palmetto Beach over the previous ten (10) months, after being released from prison in August 2021. Wilson was in possession of a drug ledger and hundreds of dollars in cash during his arrest. Wilson had maintained a premises in the form of a hotel room, which he used to prepare narcotics for distribution and to distribute to customers.

At the time of his arrest, Wilson had multiple prior felony convictions, including four prior drug trafficking offenses and a fleeing to elude conviction.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov. Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).

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