Beginning in early 2018, the Sarasota Police Department, working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization being operated by Aquiles S. Lee, 37, of Sarasota.  Lee was identified as a large-scale distributor of illegal narcotics, specifically Rock Cocaine, in the City of Sarasota. 

Lee was indicted by a Grand Jury on February 22, 2018 for (3) three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.  Lee was subsequently arrested on March 6, 2018 and a search warrant was executed at his home, 5132 David Avenue, Sarasota.  Seized as a result of the investigation were:

• Five (5) handguns
• One AK 47 assault rifle
• One Mac 10 submachine gun
• Hundreds of rounds of varying ammunition
• More than $33,000 in U.S. currency
• Two (2) vehicles
• Approximately 150 grams of rock Cocaine

On May 24, 2018, as a result of the arrest and the search warrant, a Grand Jury handed down a superseding indictment charging Lee with:

• Three (3) counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base
• Possession with Intent to distribute Cocaine Base (over 28 grams)
• Possession of a Firearm in the Furtherance of a Drug Crime
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

On December 6, 2018, Lee was sentenced in the Middle District of Florida by Honorable Judge James Whittemore to 15 years in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.  This case was prosecuted with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gerard.

Lee has 37 prior felony charges and 7 prior convictions for various criminal charges including Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Cocaine, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing to Elude and Trafficking in Cocaine.
                                                                      ###