Labelle Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug And Firearms Offenses

Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Joshua Leon Tyree (39, Labelle) has pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tyree faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Tyree has also agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used to facilitate the offenses.

According to court documents, deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on Tyree's residence and located, among other drugs, nearly one pound of methamphetamine for distribution, and 24 assorted rifles and handguns. Tyree told deputies that the items located in his residence belonged to him.

This case was investigated by the Hendry County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.