⏱ 2 min read
Ronnie Lee Small, Jr., a 48-year-old Wewahitchka man, was found guilty of distributing methamphetamine in three separate incidents, with approximate weights of one ounce, one ounce, and two ounces, in a case that began with the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Northstar Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force. The crimes occurred in Wewahitchka, Florida, and were investigated by the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The guilty verdict was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Small faces 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000,000.
The investigation involved a confidential source working with the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, who purchased methamphetamine from Small on three separate occasions. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Spaven and James A. McCain. U.S. Attorney Heekin stated that meth has devastated entire communities in the Northern District of Florida, leaving a trail of addiction, death, and despair in its wake.
Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison praised the partnership between state and federal law enforcement, saying it reflects the power of partnership in getting drug dealers off the streets and protecting the community. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2026, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle. The conviction is a significant blow to methamphetamine distribution in the area, and the US Attorney’s Office is committed to delivering safe, drug-free streets to the citizens of the Northern District of Florida.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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