COCOA POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Officer, 321-243-7812

Thursday, May 11, 2023 5:45 PM

DRUG AGENTS SECURE 25-YEAR FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE FOR DRUG DEALER

(Cocoa, FL)—A federal district court judge for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando sentenced a Cocoa drug dealer to 25-years in federal prison after a plea agreement on Thursday. Jason Scruggs entered a guilty plea to federal drug trafficking charges. U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Berger pronounced the sentencing. 

In March 2021, agents with Cocoa’s Special Investigations Unit received information regarding Scruggs selling large amounts of drugs, specifically a highly pure form of methamphetamine.  Agents began an undercover operation that spanned several weeks. After securing multiple transactions involving more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, agents were able to obtain a search warrant for the suspect’s home on Robin Hood Dr.  With assistance from the FBI and the DEA, agents recovered small amounts of meth, cash and paraphernalia and new information that led to another search warrant involving a storage trailer in the 1500 block of W. King St. Further investigation yielded more than $30,000 cash and additional evidence that led to Scruggs arrest for local drug charges. These charges turned into a federal indictment for drug trafficking. “Scruggs is a career offender and has a criminal history which includes 33 felony charges with 17 convictions, and 18 misdemeanor charges with 12 convictions,” Agent B. Erskine. “He was a mid to high-level drug dealer in our city. Anytime you can get a federal indictment, conviction and stronger penalties like 25-years in federal prison, it’s a big win for us and for our community.”

The Special Investigations Unit continues to work with the DEA and FBI to pursue federal drug charges for local drug offenders when possible.