Polk County methamphetamine trafficker sentenced to 14 years in federal prison

TAMPA, Fla. — A Winter Haven man was sentenced Thursday to 14 years in federal prison for conspiring with others to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Polk County Sheriff's Office as part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.

According cellular phone records obtained in the case, Maximilano Reynoso, 39, of Winter Haven, was in direct contact with methamphetamine sources of supply in Mexico. Reynoso ordered large quantities of high-purity methamphetamine from Mexico, and supervised couriers who distributed the drugs in Polk County. Reynoso also coordinated the transfer of drug proceeds from Polk County to Mexico. Reynoso's co-defendant, Gerardo Millian, 29, of Auburndale, was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison April 24.

"Our collaborative work with the Polk County Sheriff's Office on this OCDETF investigation is another example of our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "HSI will continue to partner with our state and local partners to combat transnational criminal organizations such as this – an organization whose sole purpose was to traffic in the misery of methamphetamine, which has destroyed countless lives."

During the investigation, HSI special agents and Polk County deputies made numerous seizures, including one kilogram of methamphetamine shipped via Federal Express from Manzanillo, Mexico, to a residence in Polk County; 200 grams of methamphetamine from a residence in Auburndale, Florida; four kilograms of methamphetamine from a vehicle on Interstate 4 in Polk County; and 40 kilograms of methamphetamine from a residence in Orlando.

The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation's drug supply.