Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Marvin “MJ” Mitchell (36, St. Petersburg) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine. Mitchell had pleaded guilty on April 14, 2022.
According to court documents and evidence presented at his sentencing hearing, between April and June 2019, Mitchell operated several rooms at the Express Inn motel in Pinellas Park. Mitchell then directed his conspirators to sell fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine out of those motel rooms. The sale of these dangerous narcotics led to dozens of drug overdoses in the Express Inn motel, and the surrounding area. On June 17, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants at the Express Inn and seized fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, used syringes, cash, and a drug ledger.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pinellas Park Police Department, with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco and Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.