Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than 21 Years In Federal Prison For Conspiring To Distribute And Distributing Cocaine

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Jose Pabon (45, Tampa) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit that offense. Pabon pleaded guilty in February 2025.

According to court documents, in July 2023, an undercover officer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office began purchasing cocaine from Pabon’s co-defendant, Joseph White. The investigation revealed that Pabon and Daniel Vega Cabrera, another co-defendant, were White’s sources of supply. Law enforcement officers ordered cocaine from White and observed Pabon deliver the cocaine to White. In total, Pabon delivered over a kilogram of cocaine to White. Pabon was subject to an enhanced penalty in this case because he had two prior drug trafficking convictions. 

This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.