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Bradenton Man Faces Decades in Prison After Fentanyl & Gun Bust
TAMPA, FL – Eugene Washington Jr., 36, of Bradenton, Florida, has admitted to federal crimes stemming from a disturbing traffic stop last August. Washington pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a substance capable of creating a deadly public health crisis. He now faces a maximum sentence of 55 years in federal prison.
The case unfolded on the morning of August 12, 2022, when Bradenton Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a call about an unresponsive driver in a Ford Focus stopped in the median lane of 9th Street East. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers immediately spotted a loaded Smith and Wesson SD40 .40 caliber pistol on the driver’s seat. As officers instructed Washington to exit the vehicle, he turned back towards the gun, appearing to reach for it. The weapon held 11 rounds of ammunition.
A search of the vehicle revealed a backpack on the passenger floorboard packed with a terrifying array of narcotics. In addition to approximately 44 grams of fentanyl – a quantity that could easily prove fatal to thousands – officers discovered 35 grams of methamphetamine, 106 grams of cocaine, 36 grams of hydrocodone, 10 grams of oxycodone, a staggering 433 grams of dimethylpentylone, and 21 grams of cannabis. The sheer volume of drugs suggests a large-scale trafficking operation, putting the community at significant risk.
This isn’t Washington’s first brush with the law. Court records show he was previously convicted in federal court for distributing heroin and served time for that offense. That prior conviction legally barred him from possessing any firearms or ammunition, making his current charges even more serious. He knowingly broke the law, endangering both law enforcement and the public.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bradenton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee is prosecuting the case. The government’s focus on Washington is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by strengthening community partnerships and focusing enforcement efforts.
A sentencing date for Washington has not yet been scheduled. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fentanyl crisis and the dangers posed by armed drug traffickers. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is announced. The potential 55-year sentence reflects the gravity of Washington’s crimes and the federal government’s commitment to dismantling these dangerous operations.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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