PENSACOLA, FL – Maurice Pearce Head, 38, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody announced the sentence, emphasizing its role as a significant deterrent to drug traffickers.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing revealed that Head conspired to distribute over 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills in Northern Florida and beyond. Head was found in possession of more than a kilogram of a drug mixture during a 2021 federal search warrant execution at a Fort Walton Beach warehouse. Additionally, Head attempted to obstruct justice by offering $10,000 to a witness to prevent their testimony.
DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter highlighted the death toll from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden and FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams reiterated the critical role of law enforcement in combating the drug crisis.
The sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. The prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation and involved multiple agencies, including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Ryan Love and Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case.
