Source: United States Department of Justice News
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentencings of Kenneth Ingram, 62, and Kadeem Ingram, 32, both of DeFuniak Springs. Kenneth Ingram was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Kadeem Ingram was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
Ingrams’ sentences were the result of being convicted following a jury trial on August 17, 2022, for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Kadeem Ingram was also convicted of distribution of cocaine or cocaine base which occurred on two occasions in July 2019.
“This prosecution demonstrates the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, who work tirelessly to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are grateful for their dedicated public service and remain committed in our efforts to investigate and vigorously prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”
Evidence introduced at trial revealed that the Ingrams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. In 2019, the Ingrams took monthly trips to South Florida to procure large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine purchased, which was, in part, converted to cocaine base, was then distributed by Kadeem Ingram and a co-conspirator. A months-long investigation culminated in law enforcement seizing approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle the Ingrams possessed on July 13, 2019.
“Let these sentences be a warning to those who are participating in the attempted destruction of our communities by selling this poison,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Our agency continues our effort not only to make drug arrests but to ensure these dangerous dealers are prosecuted and stay behind bars.”
“The success of this investigation is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the DEA in collaboration with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “DEA remains committed to these important partnerships to keep these dangerous drugs out of our North Florida communities and hold those who bring this poison into our neighborhoods accountable for their actions.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Lynn Haven Police Department, the Panama City Police Department, and the Panama City Beach Police Department. First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case.
The prosecution, part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) OCDETF, is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach tocombat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to take down criminal organizations and seize assets.
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.