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Lakeland Man Gets Over a Decade in Prison for Meth, Guns: What You Need to Know

Fenelus, a felon, got 11 years for meth distribution, illegal firearms, and ammo possession.

August 29, 2025, 6:07 PM

An American flag is folded and placed next to a pair of handcuffs on a wooden table, representing the intersection of law and patriotism.

The folded American flag and handcuffs on the wooden table powerfully symbolize the complex intersection of law, justice, and patriotism. By Miami Daily Life / MiamiDaily.Life.

Executive Summary

Lakeland resident Moreno Fenelus, 44, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.

Fenelus pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing six firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.

The charges stemmed from multiple narcotics transactions with a confidential source and the discovery of drugs, firearms, and ammunition during a search warrant at his home.

Laws and Precedent

The defendant was sentenced to federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and other narcotics, alongside charges for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, which is prohibited under federal law for convicted felons. This case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and adjudicated by a U.S. District Judge, underscores the federal legal framework for combating drug trafficking and the unlawful possession of weapons by individuals with prior felony convictions.

Lakeland resident Moreno Fenelus, 44, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison on Friday for his involvement in distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle delivered the sentence after Fenelus pleaded guilty to the charges on March 28, 2025.

Details of the Offenses

According to court documents, Fenelus engaged in multiple narcotics transactions with a confidential source (CS) working with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office between January and March 2023. These sales included cocaine, para-fluorofentanyl—an analogue of fentanyl—and a mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl.

In March 2023, Fenelus sold methamphetamine to the confidential source, further cementing the charges against him. The investigation escalated in July 2023 when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fenelus’s Lakeland home.

During the search, officers discovered cocaine, additional para-fluorofentanyl, six firearms, and various ammunition belonging to Fenelus. As a previously convicted felon, Fenelus is legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law, which led to the additional charges.

Investigation and Prosecution

This case was the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts was responsible for prosecuting the case.

Sentencing Outcome

The 11-year sentence underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms, particularly by individuals with prior felony convictions. The outcome aims to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics and enhance public safety in the community.