Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than 24 Years For Possession And Distribution Of Methamphetamine

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Christian Perez-Seda (38, Tampa) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Perez-Seda pleaded guilty in March 2024.

According to court documents, on July 24, 2021, Perez Seda distributed 987 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in exchange for $7,000. Perez-Seda then also “fronted” approximately 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to an individual working as a confidential informant. Later that day, Perez Seda was driving to sell more methamphetamine to the undercover officer when he was stopped by law enforcement. Law enforcement searched his vehicle and found approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, $3,686 in cash, and a Phoenix Arms .22 pistol.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Newman and Charlie Connally. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

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.