ORLANDO, FL – Cedrick Deon Hawkins, 43, of Cocoa, Florida, is staring down a potential life sentence after admitting to peddling methamphetamine and fentanyl while illegally armed. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced Hawkins’ guilty plea today, a grim confirmation of the drug-fueled rot creeping through Brevard County.
Hawkins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and the far more serious charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Federal sentencing guidelines dictate a minimum penalty of 10 years, but Hawkins could spend the rest of his life in a federal prison cell. A sentencing date is set for November 12, 2025, leaving him ample time to contemplate his choices.
The case, built on months of undercover work, revealed a consistent pattern of dealing. Between October 2024 and February 2025, Hawkins allegedly supplied methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential source. The operation culminated in an April 2025 raid on his Cocoa residence. What agents found wasn’t a simple stash – it was an arsenal fueled by poison.
Inside Hawkins’ home, investigators discovered additional methamphetamine, fentanyl, and the tools used to process these deadly substances. But the drugs weren’t the only things being stockpiled. Five firearms were recovered from within the house, including three rifles and a handgun hidden in the master bedroom closet. A loaded pistol was casually left in a kitchen cabinet, a chilling indication of Hawkins’ willingness to use violence to protect his operation. The search extended to a pickup truck parked on the property, where six more firearms and ammunition were located.
The takedown was a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Titusville Police Department, with crucial support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman is prosecuting the case, determined to see justice served. This isn’t just about one man; it’s about dismantling a network of misery.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN initiative in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. Hawkins’ actions directly undermined those efforts, and his conviction sends a clear message: dealing death and carrying illegal firearms will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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