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Jury Convicts Jerry McCarigie for Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute

Jerry McCarigie convicted for meth possession with intent to distribute, faces up to 40 years in prison.

byEditorial Staff

November 13, 2025, 11:09 AM

Hands holding a syringe near pills, powder, and plastic bags on a dark table, symbolizing drug abuse.

A close-up of a hand with a syringe, surrounded by white powder, pills, and bags of narcotics. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Jerry Thomas McCarigie was convicted by a federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.

During a search warrant, law enforcement located fentanyl, over 48 grams of methamphetamine, and a digital scale in McCarigie’s possession.

McCarigie faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 13, 2026.

Laws and Precedent

The defendant was convicted under federal law for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, a charge that triggers specific federal sentencing guidelines. These guidelines impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years for such drug trafficking offenses, reflecting the serious nature with which federal courts view these crimes.

A federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, convicted Jerry Thomas McCarigie, 49, of Panama City Beach, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine following a drug trafficking investigation.

Details of the Conviction

The verdict follows an investigation initiated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Division. On November 15, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Panama City Beach motel room occupied by McCarigie.

During the search, officers located fentanyl, more than 48 grams of methamphetamine, and a digital scale in McCarigie’s pockets. This evidence was presented during the trial, leading to his conviction.

Sentencing and Penalties

McCarigie is scheduled for sentencing on January 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Pensacola. He faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, with a maximum potential sentence of 40 years.

Joint Investigation and Initiative

The successful prosecution was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Florida.

This case aligns with “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative. The operation aims to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime, including drug trafficking.

Looking Ahead

The conviction of Jerry Thomas McCarigie underscores ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to address drug distribution within Florida’s Northern District and nationwide.