A man found guilty of trafficking both in fentanyl and methamphetamine last month has been sentenced to 45 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Joshua A. Smith, 41, was found guilty Dec. 3 of Trafficking in Fentanyl (between 14 and 28 grams), Trafficking in Methamphetamine, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
Prosecutor Frank Sullivan successfully sought to have him sentenced under Florida’s Habitual Felony Offender enhanced penalties. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark sentenced the defendant to 30 years in prison on the fentanyl charge, to be followed by 15 years for the methamphetamine charge.
The defendant has previously been to prison five times, with his most recent incarceration for drug trafficking. He was released from prison less than a year prior to being arrested in this case.
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At trial, Sullivan showed that on April 7, 2024, Panama City police made a probable cause stop of the defendant.
During a search of the defendant’s truck, police found “black magnetic box” stuck to the bottom of the vehicle. It contained about 67 grams of pressed fentanyl pills, 15 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cash.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.