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Florida Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Meth Trafficking: How Law Enforcement Is Fighting Back

August 27, 2025, 11:24 AM

A person exchanges money with another person, likely for drugs, on a city street.

The grim reality of addiction is laid bare as a vulnerable individual exchanges cash for a fix on a desolate street corner. By Miami Daily Life / MiamiDaily.Life.

Executive Summary

Bennie Charles Deloach was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for narcotics trafficking, specifically for possessing over 830 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Deloach was apprehended after fleeing from Pensacola Police, crashing his vehicle, and abandoning a backpack containing a substantial quantity of methamphetamine.

The conviction resulted from a joint investigation by the Pensacola Police Department, DEA, and the Gulf Coast HIDTA Task Force, with law enforcement emphasizing their commitment to combating dangerous drug trafficking.

Laws and Precedent

Bennie Charles Deloach was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a charge brought under federal drug trafficking laws. This offense falls under the purview of the Controlled Substances Act, which outlines the classification of controlled substances, establishes quantities that trigger specific felony charges, and forms the basis for federal prosecution and sentencing as administered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Bennie Charles Deloach, a 36-year-old from Cantonment, Florida, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for narcotics trafficking. The sentencing follows his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, an announcement made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Details of the Investigation

According to court records, the incident began when a Pensacola Police Department officer attempted to stop Deloach’s vehicle due to active felony warrants. Deloach fled from the officer, subsequently colliding with a pole and a parked vehicle before abandoning his car and fleeing on foot.

Officers quickly located narcotics, including a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, in a backpack Deloach dropped during his escape. Additional narcotics were discovered within the vehicle. The methamphetamine recovered weighed over 830 grams.

Law Enforcement’s Stance

U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin emphasized the severe impact of methamphetamine on the community. “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that is plaguing our community and threatening the health and safety of our citizens,” Heekin stated, thanking law enforcement partners for their efforts in removing drug traffickers from the streets.

Chief Brown of the Pensacola Police Department highlighted the proactive approach to combating drug crime. “Effective law enforcement in the war on drugs isn’t just about reacting to crime… it’s about anticipating it, disrupting the supply chains, and working together with all of our law enforcement partners to stop it,” Chief Brown remarked, underscoring the department’s commitment to preventing illegal drug use.

Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division, reiterated the accountability for those involved in drug distribution. “Those who distribute methamphetamine in Florida will be held accountable,” Reuter affirmed, prioritizing the health and safety of Florida communities.

Collaborative Prosecution

The successful conviction and sentencing were the result of a joint investigation. Contributing agencies included the Pensacola Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case, which underscores the continued multi-agency effort to combat drug trafficking in the region.