JACKSONVILLE, FL – Brandon Corey Skeith, 40, of Jacksonville, is staring down a lengthy federal prison sentence after admitting today to peddling fentanyl and cocaine base while armed. Skeith pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl and cocaine base with the intent to distribute, and to illegally possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking operation. The feds aren’t playing around – he’s facing a minimum of five years, but potentially life behind bars.
The bust went down in April 2022, when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit caught Skeith dealing dope out of a motel room near Dunn Avenue. Undercover cops observed the transactions and secured a search warrant. What they found wasn’t just drugs; it was a fully loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol alongside the packaged fentanyl, cocaine base, drug scales, and the tools of the trade – beakers used for cooking up the poison.
Investigators didn’t have to stretch for evidence linking Skeith to the weapon. DNA analysis by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed his fingerprints were all over the firearm. The combination of the drugs and the gun sealed his fate, triggering the mandatory minimum sentence for possessing a firearm while trafficking narcotics. This wasn’t some low-level user; Skeith was packaging the fentanyl for street-level sales, actively contributing to the opioid crisis ripping through communities.
The case was a joint effort between the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Talbot is leading the prosecution, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mai Tran handling the forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition used in the commission of the crime. Expect the feds to seek full forfeiture of any assets linked to Skeith’s drug operation.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. According to the Department of Justice, PSN prioritizes building trust, supporting local organizations, and focusing enforcement on the most dangerous offenders. It’s a fancy way of saying they’re cracking down, and Skeith is a prime example.
Skeith’s sentencing date hasn’t been set yet, but with a potential life sentence on the table, he’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the final outcome. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF oversaw the investigation.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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