Michael Lindsey, Heroin & Gun Crime, Florida 2023

TAMPA, FL – Michael Edward Lindsey, a 47-year-old Englewood man with a decades-long criminal history, will spend over 15 years in federal prison after being sentenced today for heroin distribution and possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday handed down the 15-year, 8-month sentence, mandated under the Armed Career Criminal Act, to Lindsey, who pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023.

The case unfolded June 9, 2022, when North Port Police Department (NPPD) officers pulled Lindsey over near 12145 Tamiami Trail. Instead of cooperating, Lindsey frantically attempted to destroy evidence, swallowing a substantial amount of drugs. Officers recovered 1.6 grams of methamphetamine after Lindsey had already ingested a portion. But the real heat came later.

Just three months later, on November 13, 2022, NPPD officers, acting on an active warrant, arrested Lindsey again. This time, a search revealed distribution quantities of both methamphetamine and heroin. Alongside the drugs, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 caliber pistol, containing five rounds of ammunition – a dangerous combination for a man with Lindsey’s record.

Lindsey’s past is checkered with multiple narcotics distribution and violent offenses dating back to 1996. The Armed Career Criminal Act was triggered by his extensive criminal history, demanding the significant mandatory minimum sentence. The prosecution, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Samantha C. Beckman, successfully argued for the full extent of the law.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) partnered with the North Port Police Department on the investigation, highlighting the collaborative efforts of federal and local agencies. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and focusing on strategic enforcement.

The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community partnerships, preventative measures, and data-driven results. While this sentencing won’t erase the damage caused by Lindsey’s actions, it sends a clear message: those who repeatedly endanger public safety with drugs and firearms will face severe consequences.

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