Fort Myers Man Sentenced To Over Eight Years In Federal Prison For Marijuana And Money Laundering Conspiracy

Fort Myers, Florida– U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Samer Jamil Rashid (43, Fort Myers) to eight years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 or more kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded guilty on June 10, 2016.

According to court documents, from approximately 2010 through July 2013, Rashid and others received high-grade marijuana from sources in California and Colorado, usually via UPS. Co-conspirators Jermaine Lewis, Jr., Karam Mehri, Ian Alters, Davan Nieves, and others then distributed the marijuana in the Fort Myers area and elsewhere. The conspirators used multiple bank accounts in California, in the names of nominee account holders, to make payments to the California suppliers for the marijuana. 

Judge Chappell previously sentenced Lewis, Mehri, Alters, and Nieves to 46, 40, 40, and 60 months in federal prison, respectively. 

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert P. Barclift.