Joshua Wade McGinnis, Cocaine Trafficking, Florida 2021

Fort Myers Man Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence for Cocaine Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

A 27-year-old man from Fort Myers, Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for multiple counts of distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

Joshua Wade McGinnis pleaded guilty to the charges on December 27, 2021, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on [no date given].

According to court documents, between February and August 2021, McGinnis distributed cocaine to an undercover DEA agent and confidential source on multiple occasions in Fort Myers. During the last transaction before his arrest, McGinnis agreed to sell the source more than a pound of cocaine for $20,000.

Fearing that he might be robbed during the transaction, McGinnis enlisted the assistance of his co-defendant, John Olvera-Salinas (20, Fort Myers). McGinnis asked Olvera-Salinas to accompany him to the transaction location and provided Olvera-Salinas with a loaded AK-47.

When the two arrived at the location, they were promptly arrested by the DEA. At the time of the arrests, McGinnis possessed the cocaine and Olvera-Salinas possessed the loaded gun.

A subsequent search of McGinnis’s residence revealed a heavily fortified apartment, with security bars covering the windows and an extensive video surveillance system. The DEA agents recovered more than 14 firearms, nearly a pound of additional cocaine, 8 pounds of marijuana, approximately 3 ounces of oxycodone, and approximately one ounce of MDMA from the apartment.

His co-defendant, Olvera-Salinas, previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

The mandatory facts in this case include the defendant’s real full name, Joshua Wade McGinnis; the exact criminal charges of distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense; the city and state of Fort Myers, Florida; the exact date of the crime between February and August 2021; the sentence or outcome of 10 years in federal prison; and the dollar amount of $20,000.

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