A federal jury has convicted five individuals of operating a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation in Orlando and Miami.
The jury found Jimmy Remy Fernetus (30, Miami), Edson Gelin (40, Orlando), Raymond Mike Ayap (Orlando, 41), Kissinger St. Fleur (36, Orlando), and Gerardson Norgaisse (33, Orlando) guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of ‘crack’ cocaine.
Fernetus, Gelin, and the others were found guilty of separate counts of distribution of cocaine or possession with the intent to distribute cocaine or ‘crack’ cocaine. The jury also found Fernetus and Gelin guilty of two counts each of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Ayap, a citizen of Haiti, faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, and potential deportation from the United States. Fernetus and Gelin each face a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison, due to their prior felony drug offenses. Fernetus and Gelin each face additional consecutive sentences for the firearms convictions.
The sentencing hearings are scheduled for May 15, 2018. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the individuals were members of a drug trafficking organization with ties to Miami.
Fernetus and other conspirators sold cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine from two houses south of downtown Orlando. Gelin sold cocaine in Orlando and was stopped on the Florida Turnpike by law enforcement in June 2016 while heading towards Orlando with two kilograms of cocaine. Fernetus and Gelin were armed with handguns when purchases were made from the houses.
Agents recovered multiple firearms, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and thousands of dollars in cash during searches conducted at the three houses. Members of the Orlando organization had also been expecting to receive at least a portion of the cocaine being transported from Haiti to Miami on a 160-foot cargo ship named the Lady Philomena, which was seized from the Miami River on March 25, 2017.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent Crime