A collection of illegal items including a handgun, bullets, a bag of white powder, and cash on a dark surface

An assortment of illegal items including narcotics, ammunition, a handgun, and U.S. currency are laid out on a dark surface. By MDL.

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Florida Man Faces Life in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges

Brevard man Hawkins pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges. Faces a minimum 10 years in prison.

byEditorial Staff

September 3, 2025, 11:59 AM

Executive Summary

Cedrick Deon Hawkins, 43, of Cocoa, pleaded guilty to federal charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Hawkins faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for November 12, 2025.

During a search of his residence, law enforcement found methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug processing materials, and 11 firearms.

Laws and Precedent

Cedrick Deon Hawkins pleaded guilty to federal charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, which falls under the Controlled Substances Act, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, a charge often brought under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). These federal offenses carry severe penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, reflecting the serious nature of combining drug trafficking with firearm possession, and his plea agreement also includes the forfeiture of seized firearms.

A Brevard County man, Cedrick Deon Hawkins, 43, of Cocoa, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Hawkins faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, with his sentencing scheduled for November 12, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the plea, noting that Hawkins has also agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition seized from his residence, which were used in the commission of the offenses. The plea agreement comes after an investigation into his drug distribution activities.

Details of the Offenses

Between October 2024 and February 2025, Hawkins was involved in selling methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential source. These transactions formed a key part of the evidence against him.

In April 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawkins’s residence in Cocoa. During the search, agents discovered additional quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, alongside various drug processing materials.

Firearms Seized

The search also uncovered a significant cache of firearms throughout the property. Inside the home, agents located five firearms, including three rifles and a handgun found in the master bedroom closet, and a loaded pistol situated in a kitchen cabinet.

An additional six firearms and ammunition were found in a pickup truck parked in the yard of the residence. The presence of these weapons contributed to the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Investigation and Prosecution

This case was the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Titusville Police Department. They received assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman is prosecuting the case. Hawkins’s plea underscores the continued efforts by federal and local agencies to combat drug-related crime in the Central Florida area.