Two Ocala men received lengthy prison sentences this week following their convictions on a total of 20 drug trafficking-related offenses.
On Friday, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit William “Bill” Gladson announced that 42-year-old Ahmar Rashard Porter has been sentenced to life in prison. The co-defendant in the case, 47-year-old Michael Lawrence Robinson, received a 30-year prison sentence.
Last month, a Marion County jury found Porter guilty of the following charges: two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of heroin with intent to sell or deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, possession of a place for trafficking or sale of a controlled substance, trafficking in heroin, possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver, sale of methamphetamine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony, and several conspiracy charges.
In addition, jurors found Robinson guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in heroin, possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver, possession of a place for trafficking or sale of a controlled substance, and several conspiracy charges.
The trial stemmed from an investigation that was initiated in 2020 by the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST), which is comprised of Ocala Police Department officers and Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The probe targeted suspected drug trafficking activities involving Porter, Robinson, and others, including 43-year-old Lloyd Anthony Kinsler, Jr.
Kinsler previously entered into a plea agreement and received a 20-year prison sentence.
Evidence presented during the trial of Porter and Robinson, which commenced on April 29, 2024, revealed that both defendants had collaborated with other individuals to traffic narcotics. They used multiple residences in Marion County to store, sell, and distribute multiple drugs including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.
Arrests were made during UDEST’s investigation, including individuals who were purchasing narcotics. On October 9, 2020, search warrants were executed at residences linked to Porter and Robinson.
During a search of Porter’s home, UDEST agents seized approximately 7 pounds of methamphetamine, along with cocaine, heroin, firearms, and currency counting machines. Inside a residence belonging to Robinson, agents also found over a pound of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana.
On the day that the search warrants were executed, Porter and Robinson were arrested and booked into Marion County Jail.
Assistant State Attorney Sam Armstrong prosecuted this case.