Tampa, Florida – In a major blow to the city’s narcotics trade, U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle has sentenced Moreno Fenelus (44, Lakeland) to 11 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Fenelus pleaded guilty on March 28, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the case. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and his conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of narcotics trafficking.
According to court documents, between January and March 2023, Fenelus sold various narcotics to a confidential source (CS) working for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. In January 2023, Fenelus sold cocaine and para-fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, to the CS. In February 2023, Fenelus sold a mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl to the CS, and in March 2023, Fenelus sold methamphetamine to the CS.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in our communities.
Moreno Fenelus, a 44-year-old resident of Lakeland, Florida, has been convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The crime dates back to January 2023, when Fenelus sold various narcotics to a confidential source.
Fenelus’s sentence is a result of his guilty plea on March 28, 2025. He will serve 11 years in federal prison for his crimes. The case is a testament to the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat narcotics trafficking and keep our communities safe.
This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of narcotics trafficking and the importance of community-based initiatives in preventing violence. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, with the case being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
Fenelus’s crimes included the sale of cocaine, para-fluorofentanyl, a mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, and methamphetamine to a confidential source between January and March 2023. He was also found to be in possession of six firearms and various ammunition at his home in July 2023.
As a convicted felon, Fenelus is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. His possession of these items was a clear violation of this law, and his sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Antony Junior Harris, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution, Florida 2022 · Georgia
- Bradleigh Wayne Carter, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Florida 2020 · Wyoming
- Donte McCray, Fentanyl Distribution, Florida 2021 · Oklahoma
- Myron D. Baker, Opioid Distribution, Ohio 2019 · Alabama
- Douglas Lanier Hogan, Armed Drug Dealer, Florida 2020 · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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