Ocala, Florida – Simeon Kyle Hopkins (28, Citrus Springs) today pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute. Hopkins faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years, and up to, life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Hopkins had been indicted on November 4, 2020.
According to the plea agreement, agents executed a search warrant at Hopkins’s Citrus Springs residence on March 17, 2020. During the search, agents seized cocaine base and a handgun in a nightstand next to Hopkins’s bed. Agents also seized a gun safe containing seven additional firearms, ammunition, and $2,000 in cash. Hopkins admitted to selling the cocaine base.
On December 3, 2020, law enforcement executed another search warrant at Hopkins’s residence and seized approximately eight pounds of marijuana in the attic.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect.