Florida Man Gets 96 Months for Cocaine Ring

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Michael Anthony Sheppard, 45, of Gainesville, Florida, is headed to federal prison for 96 months after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Sheppard was involved in a massive cocaine trafficking operation that spanned the Northern District of Florida and other areas. The investigation led to the seizure of nearly two kilograms of powder cocaine, 150 grams of crack cocaine, approximately fifteen pounds of marijuana, and numerous oxycodone pills, along with $16,000 in U.S. currency and approximately $76,000 in jewelry.

“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and vigorous prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”

Sheppard’s sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. The conviction was a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David Byron prosecuted the case.

Deanne Reuter, DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge, added, “DEA prioritizes the safety and health of our citizens by relentlessly pursuing those who distribute these destructive and illegal substances in our Florida communities and holding them accountable for their actions.”

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Sheppard’s prison sentence serves as a warning to those who choose to distribute illegal drugs in Florida, reaffirming DEA’s commitment to working with law enforcement partners to keep communities safe and healthy.