Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with more on the battle to catch and prosecute those that deal in the drug trade, a news release from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
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April 7, 2008
Orlando Heroin Trafficker Receives 25-Year Prison Sentence
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that
an Orange County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a
heroin trafficking operation that was responsible for distributing heroin
throughout Central Florida. Wense Armando Gonzalez pleaded guilty to
criminal charges in late 2006 and was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s
Office of Statewide Prosecution. In addition to the lengthy prison
sentence, Gonzalez must reimburse the state for the costs of prosecuting
him and the costs associated with extraditing him from New York where he
fled.
Gonzalez, 39, was originally arrested in April 2006 after a lengthy
investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The
investigation revealed that Gonzalez and a group of associates were
bringing large amounts of heroin into Central Florida. The group would then
repackage and distribute the narcotics to heroin dealers throughout Central
Florida. Prior to his sentencing date, originally scheduled for September
2007, Gonzalez fled to New York and became a fugitive. He was tracked to
Brooklyn, New York by agents from the United States Drug Enforcement
Administration and rearrested in November 2007.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Gonzalez with conspiring
to traffic in heroin, 28 grams or more; trafficking in heroin, four grams
or more; and delivery of heroin. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert
P. LeBlanc, Circuit Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Six of Gonzalez’s co-defendants have previously been sentenced to prison or
probationary sentences; two are awaiting sentencing later this spring; and
one is currently a fugitive.
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Evelyn out.
