Oregon Felon Sentenced To More Than Six Years For Drug Trafficking And Firearm Possession

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Katherine Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Johnathan Thuemler (32, Oregon) to six years and five months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Thuemler had pleaded guilty on May 15, 2023.

According to court documents, on February 9, 2023, Thuemler and another individual were stopped by deputies from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office for a traffic infraction. A deputy observed a loaded firearm concealed next to Thuemler, a convicted felon. Deputies also located 124 pressed pills which contained fentanyl inside the vehicle. Following the stop, deputies searched Thuemler’s hotel room and located more than 2,000 additional pressed pulls containing fentanyl. Thuemler and the other individual explained that they had traveled to Florida from Oregon to sell the pills.

Thuemler is a convicted felon for offenses related to the sale of heroin. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.