Federal Defendants Acquitted of Conspiracy to Possess and Possession of 279 Kilos of Cocaine

Defendants arrested for smuggling approximately seven (7) million dollars worth of cocaine in international waters, over 270 kilograms, are acquitted. A United States Middle District judge acquitted the defendants when the Government rested its case before twelve jurors. Defense attorneys moved for a Judgment of Acquittal, and the judge granted their motions. The Defendants will be transported back to their home countries.

TAMPA, Fla. - Aug. 15, 2022 - PRLog -- Amanda Powers Sellers, co-owner and partner at the Law Offices of Powers Sellers & Finkelstein, PLC located in Clearwater, Florida, obtained an acquittal for a client in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mrs. Sellers' client, along with two co- defendants were accused of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Case no.: 8:20-cr-00266-MSS-JSS.

Her client, a Columbian National, and two individuals from the Dominican Republic were on board a small boat in the Caribbean Sea when they were stopped by the United States Coast Guard. Members of the United States Coast Guard took the stand and testified that they observed individuals on the small boat jettison or tossing bales of cocaine into the water. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Sellers' client was seized and transported to the Middle District of Florida in Tampa where he faced a trial by jury.

The United States Coast Guard members testified that they seized over 270 kilograms of cocaine, a street value of about eight million dollars. The government's theory was that Mrs. Sellers' client, and his co-defendants were smuggling drugs from Columbia to the Dominican Republic. After calling 11 witnesses, including Coast Guard officers that allegedly observed the jettison, the Government rested. Mrs. Sellers and her team were prepared to offer evidence supporting the defense's theory that the United States Coast Guard, acting alongside the British Royal Navy and United States Customs and Border Protection captured the wrong boat. However, the District Court Judge found that the Government's case was insufficient and granted Mrs. Sellers' and the attorneys representing the co-defendants' Motion for Judgment of Acquittal. If convicted, her client faced 10 years to life in prison.

Amanda Powers Sellers and her law Partner, Jenna Finkelstein have been practicing criminal defense law for over 35 years combined. If you or one of your loved ones has been charged with a federal or state crime, contact their law firm. They can be reached at [email protected] or (727) 531-2926.  Website - www.psffirm.com