ORLANDO, FL – The grimy truth emerges as Cedrick Deon Hawkins, 43, of Cocoa, Florida, pleads guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The court’s verdict leaves no room for doubt; Hawkins faces a minimum sentence of ten years, potentially life in federal prison.
The drug bazaar operated by Hawkins stretched from October 2024 until February 2025, with methamphetamine and fentanyl flowing through his hands to an undercover source. His empire was brought down on April 2025 when agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Titusville Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence. Inside, they discovered a trove of drugs, processing materials, and a arsenal of firearms.
It wasn’t just a few pieces of ordnance; five firearms were found scattered throughout the home, including three rifles and a handgun hidden in the master bedroom closet, a loaded pistol tucked away in the kitchen cabinets. But that was only half the story – six additional firearms and ammunition awaited discovery in a pickup truck parked on his property.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman is leading the prosecution against Hawkins, ensuring justice for the communities endangered by drug trafficking and gun violence. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that aims to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer through coordinated efforts between law enforcement and local communities.
Set for November 12, 2025, sentencing will mark the culmination of this dark chapter in Cocoa’s history. Hawkins has agreed to forfeit all seized firearms and ammunition, a stark reminder of the destructive power drugs and guns hold in the wrong hands.
Related Federal Cases
- Florida Gun Dealer Lawrence Destefano Indicted in Ghost Gun Ring · New York
- Oxley’s Multi-Million Dollar Drug Smuggling Operation Busted · Florida
- Florida Gunrunner Faces 71 Counts in NY Ghost Gun Pipeline · New York
- Queens Ghost Gun Ring Busted: 5 Sentenced · New York
- Boston Pharmacists Get Prison Time for Drug Schemes · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News