Sarasota Man Sentenced To 5 ½ Years In Federal Prison For Narcotics And Firearm Charges

Tampa, FL - U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore yesterday sentenced Oneil Marlon Martin, a/k/a David Lawrence Motta (33, Sarasota) to 66 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered Martin to forfeit two firearms and assorted ammunition which were used, or intended to be used, to facilitate the offenses. Martin pleaded guilty on January 3, 2013.

According to court documents, federal and state law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Martin's house on October 19, 2012. During the search, agents found marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia throughout the house. They also found two firearms and assorted ammunition. In addition, the agents recovered $17,846.00 in cash from Martin's house.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph W. Swanson.