Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Theron Marquale Mathews (37, New Port Richey) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of 400 grams or more of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court previously entered an order of forfeiture for three firearms and $41,176 in proceeds from drug trafficking crimes. Mathews pled guilty on March 11, 2025.

According to court documents, Mathews and a co-conspirator resided together at a home in New Port Richey, Florida. On March 14, 2024, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) executed an arrest warrant at that home and found a fentanyl processing operation. Agents obtained a search warrant and recovered a loaded Glock 20 10mm pistol, a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 40 caliber pistol, an ATI Bulldog semi-automatic shotgun, 980.8 grams of fentanyl, and a number of items for processing and packaging fentanyl. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.