United States Drug Enforcement Administration

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Edrick D. Jackson (28, Lake City) to five years in federal prison for distributing cocaine base (“crack” cocaine) and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.  The court also ordered Jackson to forfeit the ammunition and firearms involved in the offenses. Jackson had pleaded guilty on May 25, 2022.

According to court documents, on three separate occasions, Jackson sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement.  The sales took place at Jackson’s home in Lake City. After obtaining a federal search warrant, investigators searched Jackson’s home and located crack cocaine, two digital scales, a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol that had previously been reported stolen, and a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition. Jackson had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and therefore is prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Jacksonville District Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov.  Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).

The DEA encourages parents, teachers, care givers, guardians, and children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com , www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov , and www.dea.gov.

Follow DEA Miami via Twitter at @DEAMIAMIDIV.