Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than 20 Years For Role In Drug Conspiracy

Tampa, FL- U.S. District Judge James S. Moody sentenced Rodney L. Carter (27, Tampa) yesterday to twenty years and eight months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2012.

According to court documents, Carter and his co-conspirators, Curtis A. Marsh, Jr. and Donta Haynes agreed and planned to commit a robbery of 20-50 kilograms of cocaine. All three were arrested prior to committing the robbery. At the time of the arrests, they were in possession of three loaded firearms.

On March 27, 2013, Marsh was sentenced to eleven years and three months in federal prison. Haynes pleaded guilty for his role in this case. His sentencing hearing is scheduled on May 14, 2013.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.