PLANT CITY, FL – Nahum Rodriguez-Jaimes, 48, of Lakeland, Florida, has admitted to flooding the streets of Plant City with a deadly poison: fentanyl. The Mexican national pleaded guilty today to three federal counts of possessing with intent to distribute the potent opioid, a charge that carries a hefty potential sentence.
According to court documents unsealed today, Rodriguez-Jaimes wasn’t dealing in small amounts. The feds say he was a consistent supplier, caught in three separate transactions at a commercial business in Plant City. On September 28, 2023, he pushed 200 fentanyl pills. He wasn’t deterred. On October 10, 2023, he upped the ante, distributing a staggering 300 pills. Just nine days later, on October 19, 2023, he delivered another three baggies filled with the killer drug.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg didn’t mince words, announcing the guilty plea and outlining the severe consequences Rodriguez-Jaimes now faces. Each count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. That means Rodriguez-Jaimes could be looking at a combined 60-year sentence if Judge [Name Redacted] decides to impose consecutive terms.
Beyond the potential decades behind bars, Rodriguez-Jaimes’ future is further complicated by his citizenship. As a citizen of Mexico, he is subject to deportation following the completion of his sentence. The feds are likely to prioritize his removal from the country, sending a message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Plant City Police Department, highlights the ongoing battle against fentanyl’s deadly grip on Florida communities. Law enforcement sources indicate the investigation began with credible tips from informants within Plant City, leading to the surveillance and subsequent bust.
Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman is prosecuting the case, and she’s building a solid case for a substantial sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been set, but sources within the US Attorney’s office suggest Guzman will be pushing for the maximum allowed by law. This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the relentless efforts of federal agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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