Schonton Harris, Cocaine Conspiracy, Florida 2018
A former City of Miami police officer has been handed a lengthy sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Schonton Harris, 42, of Miami, was sentenced to 15 1/2 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga on September 13, 2023, for her involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
The case against Harris began in August 2018, when she conspired with other officers to possess cocaine. According to court filings, on September 13, 2018, Harris provided police protection for what she believed was a multiple-kilogram shipment of cocaine by escorting the transportation of such cocaine from a bus station to a Miami-area hotel.
Later, on September 28, 2018, Harris provided police protection for a 40-kilogram shipment of what she again believed to be cocaine. The sham cocaine, divided into two 20-kilogram containers, was transported by undercover FBI employees in two separate vehicles to two different Miami-area hotels.
Finally, on October 11, 2018, Harris personally took possession of two large coolers from a Miami-area marina, which coolers she believed to each contain 15 kilograms of cocaine, and transported such coolers to two hotels in Miami. After the described incidents, Harris received a cash payment in the amount of $17,000.
“The sentence announced today is a victory for all law enforcement officers who protect and serve our community with pride, honor, and dignity,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan.
“We will not allow those who abuse their positions of trust to tarnish the reputation of the City of Miami Police Department and those dedicated officers who, every day, serve the City of Miami residents. Those who use their badge to break the law and enrich themselves will be brought to justice.”
About the Case
This case was investigated by the FBI, including the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry C. Wallace, Jr. and Jessica Obenauf.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Mandatory Facts
1. Defendant/Respondent: Schonton Harris
2. Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
3. City and State: Miami, Florida
4. Exact Date: September 13, 2018 (sentencing date)
5. Sentence or Outcome: 15 1/2 years in prison
6. Dollar Amounts: $17,000
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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