JACKSONVILLE, FL – Keith Allen Dixon, 46, is headed to federal prison for a decade after pleading guilty to trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard handed down the 10-year sentence, a harsh penalty reflecting Dixon’s repeat offender status and the danger he posed to the Jacksonville community.
The bust went down January 6, 2023, when Dixon allegedly peddled methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a Jacksonville hotel on Lane Avenue. But the deal wasn’t limited to narcotics; Dixon also offloaded two 20-gauge shotguns during the same transaction. This wasn’t a first offense for Dixon, a convicted felon already prohibited from owning guns or ammunition under federal law.
Court documents reveal Dixon was on probation at the time of the drug and gun sale, stemming from a prior Duval County conviction for – ironically – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The amount of methamphetamine involved was significant, with authorities determining Dixon was responsible for at least 146 grams of the pure substance. That’s enough to supply a substantial network of users.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cannizzaro prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Dixon despite the challenges of dealing with informants and street-level drug transactions.
Federal officials are framing Dixon’s sentencing as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The program, recently bolstered by the Department of Justice, emphasizes focused enforcement priorities and measurable results – something the Dixon case clearly demonstrates.
While the feds tout PSN’s success, Jacksonville residents are left to wonder how many more like Dixon are still out there, pushing poison and packing heat. The 10-year sentence offers a temporary reprieve, but the fight against drug trafficking and gun violence in Jacksonville is far from over. Dixon’s case serves as a stark reminder that even with increased federal scrutiny, the streets remain a dangerous place.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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