(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, a jury reached its verdict, finding the defendant, 30-year-old Ke’Andre Darvay Stokes, guilty of Trafficking in Fentanyl, Possession of Cannabis, Conspiracy to Commit Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.
The trial, which began on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, concluded earlier yesterday afternoon with the Honorable Judge Mary Hatcher sentencing Stokes to 75 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, along with fining him $500,000. Stokes, who was on probation at the time of his initial arrest, is a three-time convicted felon with prior drug charges.
“Guns, drugs, cash – what could possibly go wrong? I guess if you are going to be dumb, you’ve got to be tough,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Seventy-five years in prison seems like a sufficient time to reflect on the bad choices made in one’s life.”
Stokes was originally arrested back on June 2, 2021, after agents with the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) began an investigation into the overdose death of an individual. Officials with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) were notified and conducted a joint investigation.
During the investigation, authorities were able to set up a narcotics transaction with Stokes. During the communications, Stokes relayed an apartment address in the Villages to meet up for the sale of Fentanyl. Members of the SCSO Special Investigations Squad and Marion County UDEST arrived at the location. While surveilling the area, law enforcement was able to observe Stokes exiting the apartment to conduct the sale.
At this time, deputies placed Stokes under arrest. During a search of his persons, officials located 3.32 grams of Fentanyl, a large currency of cash, and the cell phone he was using to communicate with law enforcement.
A search warrant was also conducted on the apartment Stokes frequented where his girlfriend lived. During the lawful search, deputies located over 28 grams of Fentanyl, cannabis, and drug paraphernalia.
Assistant State Attorneys Donald McCathran and Daniel Geraghty prosecuted this case.
A special thank you to Sgt. Hunt of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office; Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. McPeters, Cpl. Wilson, Dep. Hinderhofer, Lt. Mullins; Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analysts Metsky and Smith for their ongoing participation and testimony in this case.
Published on 06/13/2024.