Tallahassee Sun

Frederick Anthony Forbes, 52, of McDonough, Georgia, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison after being found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The announcement was made by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and vigorous prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentence illustrates the significant consequences of harming our citizens through illicit drug trafficking activities.”

Evidence presented at trial showed that Forbes, previously convicted of cocaine trafficking in 1994, was involved in a longstanding conspiracy with others to distribute cocaine. The operation employed coded language and counter-surveillance measures to avoid detection and used a commercial trucking business as a cover for narcotics trafficking.

“Drug trafficking has a devastating impact on our communities, and drug distributors, like Mr. Forbes, put profits over the lives of our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division. “This investigation highlights DEA’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to hold those who threaten the safety and health of our Florida communities accountable for their actions.”

Testimony, surveillance footage, wiretap intercepts, and two kilograms of powder cocaine seized from Forbes in September 2022 established his role in coordinating the purchase, delivery, and resale of cocaine. The investigation led to the seizure of nearly four kilograms of powder cocaine from Forbes and his co-conspirators, as well as the forfeiture of a commercial tractor-trailer used for transporting narcotics. Two co-conspirators were also indicted and convicted.

Forbes’ prison sentence will be followed by ten years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in coordination with the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney David Byron prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven approach involving multiple agencies. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about the United States Attorney’s Office for this district is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.