Betancourt Trafficking Ring, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Florida 2023

Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring in Bradenton, Florida

Tampa, Florida – A group of individuals from Bradenton, Florida, has pleaded guilty to their involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking organization. The group, consisting of Clemente Betancourt (28), Estevan Betancourt (19), Larry Lee Woodard, Jr. (29), Adonis Bonilla (29), Omar Mejia (29), Jesse Leahy (48), and Alexander Perez (30), face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison for their crimes.

According to court documents, between March 2022 and May 2023, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in Bradenton and throughout Manatee County. The individuals also pleaded guilty to substantive charges on specific dates.

At the time of the arrests, a search warrant was executed at Clemente and Estevan Betancourt’s house in Bradenton. As a result of that search, three firearms, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, 22 cellphones, cocaine, and marijuana were seized.

The United States intends to forfeit any and all property, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

The investigation was conducted by a joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) which includes Homeland Security Investigations Tampa (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Central Florida Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug trafficking Area (HIDTA) also assisted with the investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman, David Sullivan, and Suzanne Nebesky.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

Defendant Information:

Defendant Name: Clemente Betancourt, Estevan Betancourt, Larry Lee Woodard, Jr., Adonis Bonilla, Omar Mejia, Jesse Leahy, and Alexander Perez

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine

City and State: Bradenton, Florida

Arrest Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: Maximum penalty of life in federal prison

Date: Not specified

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