FORT WALTON BEACH MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG AND MONEY LAUNDERING CONSPIRACY

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Taj Tariq Tamboura Robinson, 35, of Fort Walton Beach, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring this drug trafficker to justice. This is yet another important case by my office fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing criminal offenders who victimize our communities.”

Court documents establish that between 2018 and 2023, Robinson was a high-level distributor in a drug trafficking and money laundering organization who provided large quantities cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana to other dealers in the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere. Robinson and his co-conspirators further laundered the proceeds of their drug conspiracy by purchasing and selling real estate and vehicles in other people’s names.

“Bringing this polydrug distributor to justice was a group effort, and I appreciate the work our law enforcement partners did to make this happen,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Our North Florida communities will be safer with him off the streets.”

“The ongoing commitment and teamwork leading to arrests like Robinson’s shows the level of local dedication that exists to rid our streets of dangerous narcotics,” said Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. “We are proud to play a key role in putting those who peddle these poisons behind bars.”

“Today’s sentencing serves as a reminder to criminals that if you attempt to launder drug money in Northern Florida, you will be caught and sentenced to serious prison time,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker, IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “Through the outstanding joint investigative efforts of the IRS, DEA, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, this defendant is off the street and no longer able to peddle poison in our communities.”

Robinson received a total sentence of 13 years in prison, which will be followed by 6 years of supervised release. In addition, the government administratively and judicially forfeited over $265,000, two vehicles, and multiple pieces of jewelry from Robinson and his co-conspirators.

The sentence was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Love.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.