Local

California Man Gets Nearly 18 Years in Prison for Florida Meth Ring: How the Scheme Unraveled

August 27, 2025, 10:16 AM

A person's hands pour a white powder from a small bag onto a piece of foil

A person preparing an illegal substance for drug abuse on a dark, textured surface. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Jacob Paul Arjona, 32, was sentenced to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine in Florida.

Arjona was involved in a large-scale conspiracy to bring over 500 kilograms of methamphetamine into the Middle District of Florida.

Law enforcement observed Arjona deliver 50 pounds of methamphetamine and later seized over $110,000 in drug proceeds from his vehicle.

Laws and Precedent

Jacob Paul Arjona was sentenced under federal law for conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine, specifically involving over 500 kilograms, a charge that falls under the Controlled Substances Act. His sentence, and that of his co-defendant, was imposed by a U.S. District Judge, indicating adherence to federal sentencing guidelines for drug trafficking offenses.

A California man was sentenced to nearly 18 years in federal prison on Tuesday for his involvement in a significant methamphetamine distribution ring operating in Florida. Jacob Paul Arjona, 32, of Bakersfield, California, received a sentence of 17 years and 7 months from U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven for conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine.

Details of the Conspiracy

According to court documents, Arjona played a role in a broader conspiracy that aimed to bring more than 500 kilograms of methamphetamine into the Middle District of Florida. His guilty plea in December 2024 acknowledged his participation in this large-scale drug trafficking operation.

A key event in the case occurred on October 11, 2023, when law enforcement officers observed Arjona deliver 50 pounds of methamphetamine to his co-defendant, Mario Espino, at a residence in Holiday, Florida. This direct distribution was a central piece of evidence in the prosecution.

Law Enforcement Action

Shortly after the delivery, deputies from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office stopped a rideshare vehicle carrying Arjona as he departed the Holiday residence. During a subsequent search, deputies seized over $110,000 in cash, identified as drug proceeds, from the vehicle.

Arjona’s co-defendant, Mario Espino, also pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on February 24, 2025. Espino received a lengthier sentence of 22 years and 6 months in federal prison for his involvement in the illicit scheme.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to dismantle major drug trafficking networks. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan prosecuted.