Syringe and plastic bag with white powder on gravel

A syringe and a bag of white powder lie on a gravel surface, suggesting illegal drug activity. By MDL.

Local

Indictment Filed Against Travaess McLemore on Methamphetamine Distribution and Conspiracy Charges

Travaess McLemore indicted for meth distribution. Faces life in prison if convicted. DEA and Sheriff’s Office investigated.

byEditorial Staff

September 29, 2025, 8:49 AM

Executive Summary

Travaess McLemore, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

If convicted, McLemore faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment, with his jury trial scheduled to begin on November 10, 2025.

The indictment is the result of a collaborative investigation by the DEA and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, linked to the nationwide “Operation Take Back America” initiative.

Laws and Precedent

Travaess McLemore has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine, which are serious federal drug trafficking offenses under the Controlled Substances Act, carrying a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment. This prosecution is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations and violent crime by leveraging resources from programs like the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs).

A Fort Walton Beach resident, Travaess McLemore, 41, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. The charges were announced today by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, following McLemore’s arraignment in Pensacola, Florida.

Legal Proceedings Underway

McLemore appeared for his arraignment on September 23, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho. A jury trial for the case is scheduled to commence on November 10, 2025, with District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II presiding. If convicted on these federal charges, McLemore faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment.

Joint Investigation Efforts

The indictment is the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

Part of “Operation Take Back America”

This case is linked to “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative. This operation aims to utilize the full resources of the Department to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators. It streamlines efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) programs.

Presumption of Innocence

It is important to note that an indictment represents an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, where the government bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.