JACKSONVILLE, FL – Shawntae Jamell Clark, 45, of Clay County, Florida, is headed to federal prison for more than a decade after being convicted of trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard handed down a sentence of 10 years and five months on Monday, November 27, 2023, effectively removing a dangerous dealer from the streets.
The bust originated with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), who began investigating Clark following reports of drug sales emanating from a room at the Stay Suites on Wells Road. Deputies surveilled Clark on July 2, 2021, observing him leave the hotel with a backpack before entering a vehicle. A subsequent traffic stop, aided by a CCSO canine alert, revealed a trove of illegal substances and weaponry. Inside a small safe, officers discovered a loaded Beretta pistol, a Taurus revolver, seven baggies of methamphetamine, and roughly 100 empty baggies used for distribution.
The total weight of the methamphetamine seized reached approximately 159 grams, solidifying the charge of possession with intent to distribute. Adding to the severity of the case, Clark’s criminal history revealed multiple prior felony convictions, including armed robbery, attempted sexual battery, and multiple cocaine possession charges. These convictions explicitly prohibit him from owning or possessing firearms under federal law, escalating the charges and ultimately contributing to the lengthy sentence.
Clark isn’t the only one facing consequences. David Lee Rucker, 35, of Clay County, a related defendant in the case, was sentenced on September 25 to six years and eight months in federal prison for his own role in the methamphetamine distribution scheme. Rucker also forfeited a firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty on May 19, 2022. The investigation highlights a network of individuals profiting from the misery of addiction in Clay County.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the CCSO jointly investigated the case, demonstrating a unified front against drug and gun violence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin C. Frein and Mai Tran skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the convictions and ensuring the forfeiture of the ill-gotten gains – including the two firearms, ammunition, and cash traceable to the criminal enterprise.
Federal officials tout this case as a victory under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to foster collaboration between law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. While the program’s long-term efficacy remains debated, this case serves as a stark reminder that federal agencies are actively targeting drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in Florida.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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