Ellenton Man Sentenced To Over Five Years In Prison For His Role In Fentanyl And Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle today sentenced Alexis Soto Escalante (20, Ellenton) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to and possessing with the intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of cocaine. Soto Escalante pleaded guilty on April 11, 2025.

According to court records, on May 22, 2024, Soto Escalante provided 55.9 grams of fentanyl to his co-defendant, Traveous Anderson, which was recovered by agents upon Anderson’s arrest. Later that same day, Soto Escalante traveled to Anderson’s apartment to collect payment for the fentanyl delivery, where he was also arrested. Agents recovered 641 grams of cocaine and 3.7 grams of fentanyl from the vehicle Soto Escalante was driving. Agents subsequently executed a search warrant at Soto Escalante’s home and found an additional 14.03 grams of cocaine and a handgun inside Soto Escalante’s bedroom closet.

Anderson is pending trial for his alleged role in this case.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.