PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Charles E. Posey, Jr., 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 26.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”
During his plea in federal court, Posey admitted being present at a residence in Pensacola on December 3, 2020, which contained over $20,000 in United States currency, ten firearms, and large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Posey’s white Lexus was also present on scene, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives located large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana within it along with a Glock .40 caliber pistol with an attached “drum” acting as an extended magazine with 27 live rounds inside.
“This sentencing is great news for the Florida Panhandle communities,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “A dangerous felon – a repeat drugs and firearms offender — will be locked up for a long time, thanks to our incredible partnership with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office-Northern District of Florida.”
Posey is a multi-convicted felon who has been to state prison previously. His prior state convictions also involve drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Posey’s prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Kaitlin Weiss.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.