TAMPA, FL – William Shumaker, Jr., 39, of St. Petersburg, is headed to federal prison for five years after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing firearms. U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the sentence this week, marking a win for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Shumaker, a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history, wasn’t peddling small amounts. Court documents reveal he repeatedly sold quantities of fentanyl to undercover law enforcement officers between March and April of 2021. The sales weren’t one-offs; Shumaker increased the amount of fentanyl he offered with each transaction, demonstrating a clear intent to profit from the deadly opioid crisis.
But fentanyl wasn’t the only thing Shumaker was pushing. He brazenly offered to sell firearms alongside the illicit narcotics. During one deal, he unloaded a loaded Ruger .357 Magnum revolver to the undercover officers. He then upped the ante, offering a .22 caliber SCCY pistol as an additional purchase – a dangerous combination of drugs and guns hitting the streets.
The ATF and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office moved swiftly to shut down Shumaker’s operation. The investigation, led by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee, built a solid case that resulted in Shumaker’s guilty plea on July 20, 2022, to four counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The five-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes.
Federal officials are framing the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and community involvement. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust within communities and strategically targeting enforcement efforts.
While the sentencing of Shumaker offers a temporary reprieve, the relentless flow of fentanyl and illegal firearms remains a constant threat. The ATF and local law enforcement continue to pursue those who profit from this deadly trade, working to keep dangerous individuals like Shumaker off the streets and protecting communities from the ravages of drug-fueled violence.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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