GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Khiri Jackson, 31, of Cross City, Florida, has confessed to a serious federal crime: possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The guilty plea, announced by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida, marks a significant step in dismantling a local drug pipeline.
Heekin didn’t mince words, stating, “Methamphetamine addiction destroys lives and harms communities throughout North Florida, but this trafficker’s days of flooding our streets with this poison are over.” He emphasized the office’s commitment to “Take Back America,” a directive from former President Donald J. Trump and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, promising aggressive prosecution of drug traffickers. The statement highlighted the collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since late 2024, revealed Jackson’s extensive drug-trafficking operation. On April 15, 2025, a coordinated surveillance operation culminated in Jackson’s apprehension near Old Town, Florida, as he returned from the Ocala area. A search of his vehicle uncovered approximately one pound of methamphetamine, vacuum-sealed and stashed on the driver’s side.
This wasn’t a small-time operation. Jackson now faces a harsh sentence – a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, potentially extending to a lifetime behind bars. The weight of the charge reflects the severity of his crime and the damage methamphetamine inflicts on communities. The DEA, along with the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, worked jointly on the case, demonstrating a united front against drug crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Hapner and James A. McCain are prosecuting the case, ensuring Jackson is held accountable for his actions. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. This case is a component of “Operation Take Back America,” a broad initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 nationwide, serves as the primary litigator for the Department of Justice. Public court documents related to this case are available on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For further information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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