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Press Release

Highlands County Resident Charged with Armed Drug Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida

A Highlands County, Florida man has been charged with armed drug trafficking.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Office and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.

Samuel Martinez, 40, of Highlands County, has been charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm (Case No. 19-14022-CR-Rosenberg).  According to the indictment, the crimes occurred on or about March 12, 2019, in Highlands County.  If convicted as charged, Martinez faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

An indictment merely contains allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of DEA and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in this matter.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Updated May 29, 2019