A 42-year-old Ocala man who sold pounds of meth and fentanyl to a confidential informant and bragged about the drugs “dropping people” dead, will spend at least a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute the drugs.
On Monday, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida announced that Terrance Maurice Washington has pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and fentanyl) with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, on five separate occasions – October 25, 2023; November 3, 2023; November 20, 2023; January 3, 2024; and January 25, 2024 – Washington possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Additionally, on November 8, 2023, Washington had 40 grams or more of fentanyl in his possession.
On the above dates, Washington delivered the methamphetamine and/or fentanyl to a confidential source who was cooperating with law enforcement. The drugs that were provided by Washington ranged from “gram quantities” to “upwards of a pound or more of methamphetamine.”
In addition, Washington bragged that the type of fentanyl he distributed was “dropping people.”
Washington was arrested by law enforcement, and a search of his residence was conducted. During that search, officers found two pounds of methamphetamine, which appeared to be “intended for distribution.”
Washington is facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on the five counts involving methamphetamine. On the remaining fentanyl offense, he faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
A sentencing hearing for Washington is scheduled to take place on October 18, 2024.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) investigated this case, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.