Tallahassee Sun

Adam Joseph King, 42, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his guilty plea for the distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. This sentence acknowledges the defendant’s continued criminal conduct and sends a straightforward message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm and drug offenses.”

Court documents indicate that King and others were involved in receiving and distributing large quantities of high-purity methamphetamine in the Northern District of Florida while also engaging in illegal firearms sales. During targeted drug operations between September 2022 and March 2023, King sold smaller quantities of high-purity methamphetamine and expressed willingness to illegally obtain and sell firearms. In March 2023, he sold investigative agents approximately an ounce of methamphetamine along with a semi-automatic handgun.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous and addictive drug that destroys families and devastates communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “DEA remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate those who distribute this poison in our communities and hold them accountable for their actions.”

King’s prison sentence will be followed by eight years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), in coordination with the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida High Intensity Drug Task Force (HIDTA). Assistant United States Attorney Eric Mountin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and community organizations. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention programs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to lock their car doors at night to prevent burglaries from unlocked automobiles—a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 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 office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.