A Clearwater, Florida cocaine dealer has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his crimes. Terrel Lewis, 26, of Largo, was handed a 3 years and 10 months prison sentence by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The conviction stems from a joint investigation by the Clearwater Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In 2021, authorities received information that Lewis was distributing cocaine in the Clearwater area. On August 24, 2021, Lewis met with a confidential source (CS) and delivered a brown paper bag containing 250.75 grams of cocaine. This transaction marked the first of two instances where Lewis supplied the CS with large quantities of the illicit substance.

The second transaction occurred on March 9, 2022, when Lewis delivered 248.97 grams of cocaine to the CS in a plastic bag. In total, Lewis distributed 499.72 grams of cocaine in both transactions. This staggering amount of cocaine, weighing nearly 1 pound, is a clear indication of Lewis’s involvement in the local drug trade.

The evidence gathered during the investigation was sufficient to secure Lewis’s guilty plea on December 21, 2022. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman prosecuted the case, ensuring that justice was served.

Terrel Lewis’s sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in combating the scourge of cocaine trafficking in Clearwater. The Clearwater Police Department and the DEA deserve praise for their tireless efforts in bringing Lewis to justice.

As Lewis begins his prison term, the community is breathing a sigh of relief. The streets of Clearwater are now a little safer, thanks to the hard work of those who brought this case to fruition. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

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