Armed Heroin Dealer Sentenced To Over Five Years In Federal Prison
Matthew Barker (34, Jacksonville) was sentenced to five years and five months in federal prison for distributing heroin and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He pleaded guilty on May 24, 2017.
Barker was investigated by detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration for selling heroin and firearms in Jacksonville. Task force agents purchased almost 7 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl for $1,500 and a .40 caliber pistol from Barker.
FBI SWAT team members later executed a search warrant at Barker’s home and recovered more than 40 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. All of the firearms and ammunition were forfeited to the government.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot. This serious crime is a reminder of the dangers posed by heroin trafficking and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat it.
Barker’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and demonstrates the commitment of the federal justice system to holding accountable those who engage in this type of activity. The public should be assured that law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle heroin trafficking organizations.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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