Jamaican sentenced to more than 5 years for narcotics, firearms charges

TAMPA, Fla. – A Jamaican national who was illegally residing in the United States was sentenced Monday to 66 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense. This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sarasota Police Department.

According to court documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant Oct. 19 at the Sarasota residence of Oneil Martin, 33, aka David Motta. During the search, special agents and officers found approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, as well as two firearms – one with an obliterated serial number. They also seized nearly $18,000 in cash and one Cadillac sedan. 

"HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that illegal drugs, and weapons that support such criminal activity, are removed from our communities," said Shane Folden, deputy special agent in charge of HSI Tampa, which oversees the agency's Sarasota office that conducted this investigation.

Martin pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 3.  

He will be removed to Jamaica after he serves his prison sentence.