Prior Felon Sentenced To 120 Months In Federal Prison For Drug Offense And Possession Of A Firearm

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Adam Joseph King, 42, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, after previously pleading guilty for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.

"Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district," said U.S. Attorney Coody. "With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens' health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. This sentence acknowledges the defendant's continued criminal conduct and sends a straightforward message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm and drug offenses."

Court documents reflect that King, and others, were actively receiving and distributing pound quantities of high-purity methamphetamine in the Northern District of Florida, as well as illegally selling firearms. During targeted drug operations, between September 2022 and March 2023, King sold smaller quantities of high-purity methamphetamine and expressed his willingness to illegally obtain and sell firearms. In March 2023, King sold investigative agents approximately an ounce of methamphetamine and a semi-automatic handgun.

"Methamphetamine is a dangerous and addictive drug that destroys families and devastates communities," said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. "DEA remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate those who distribute this poison in our communities and hold them accountable for their actions."

King's prison sentence will be followed by 8 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, in coordination with the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff's Office, and the North Florida High Intensity Drug Task Force (HIDTA). Assistant United States Attorney Eric Mountin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney's Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.