Tampa, FL – In a major crackdown on drug trafficking and gun offenses, United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the indictment of fourteen Polk County residents, including Curtis Charles Tinsley (47, Lakeland), for their roles in a ruthless narcotics ring. The group faces charges ranging from distribution of fentanyl to firearms possession as felons.
The indicted gang members, who include Tyler Anthony Devaney (32, Winter Haven) and Alvin Antonio Barnes III (47, Lakeland), are accused of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. The gravity of the charges is compounded by allegations that some defendants committed these offenses following previous serious drug or violent felony convictions.
Devaney, Barnes, Lamar Anthony Hamilton (43, Lakeland), Tyrese Leon Pratt (39, Lakeland), and Antonio Groover (32, Dundee) are also charged with possessing firearms or ammunition as convicted felons. Moreover, Devaney, Pratt, and Hamilton face additional charges for having firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking offenses.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which has been instrumental in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling criminal organizations threatening the United States. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo is leading the prosecution against these alleged criminals.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. This operation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative targeting illegal immigration, eliminating cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt. Each defendant in this case is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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