Drug Dealer Sentenced To Over Ten Years In Federal Prison

Ocala, FL – United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Tralvaster Epps (34, Ocala) to 10 years and 2 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Epps had pleaded guilty on November 18, 2021.

According to court documents, on July 22, 2020, officers from the Ocala Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a stolen Jeep that Epps was driving. Officers recovered approximately 140 grams of cocaine, a loaded firearm, nearly $12,000 in cash, and three cellphones from the vehicle. After his arrest, Epps made multiple phone calls from jail ordering family members to move multiple bags containing narcotics. Agents from the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, a drug task force, located and confiscated the bags. After receiving a search warrant for the contents of the bags, the agents found approximately 775 grams of fentanyl, 530 grams of methamphetamine, 440 grams of cocaine, 620 grams of marijuana, large amounts of various pills, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $51,000 in cash.

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.