Two Ocala Men Arrested for Distributing Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Ocala, Florida – Phillip Washington, Jr. (66, Ocala), a/k/a “Big Phil,” and Reginald Cornelius Sesler (46, Ocala), a/k/a “Hot Boy,” have been charged by indictment with distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Washington is charged in three counts and Sesler is charged in two counts. If convicted, Washington faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on each count. Sesler faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40, in federal prison on each count. Both are currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Washington and Sesler, aiding and abetting each other, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute cocaine on June 10, 2024. Washington is also separately charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl on June 18 and July 18, 2024. Sesler is charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine during another incident on July 25, 2024.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.