Tampa Drug Dealer Sentenced To Life In Federal Prison

Tampa. Florida- U.S. District Judge William J. Castagna yesterday sentenced Eugene E. Davis (39) to life in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to possess 280 grams or more of cocaine base. The life sentence was imposed as a result of Davis's prior felony drug convictions. A federal jury found Davis guilty on May 16, 2013.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Davis engaged in a year- long conspiracy with others to distribute hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine in Hillsborough County. Davis, a prolific crack dealer, was known for purchasing multiple kilograms of cocaine and cooking it into crack cocaine. Often described as "flashy and flamboyant," Davis used his drug proceeds to fund an extravagant lifestyle of high-end cars, expensive jewelry, and thousands of dollars in cash. The court also concluded that Davis was a career offender who obstructed justice when he attempted to intimidate witnesses by listing their names in news outlets and on social media, labeling them "snitches."

This case resulted from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.