Pensacola Man Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute Approximately $20 Million Worth Of Cocaine
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that Ricky L. Blankenship,(43, of Pensacola), was sentenced today on federal charges related to a multi-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine throughout Pensacola, Florida.
The investigation into Blankenship culminated in November 2013, when Blankenship and his co-defendant were apprehended leaving a residence in which over $260,000 in cash was located. The co-defendant was found to be in possession of eight kilograms of cocaine when stopped by law enforcement. Telephone records corroborated Blankenship’s illicit relationship with the co-defendant and the deliverer of the seized cocaine. Over the multi-year criminal conspiracy, Blankenship was responsible for over 500 kilograms of cocaine entering into the Northern District of Florida. This, coupled with his prior criminal history, was considered by the Court at sentencing.
Blankenship was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Lacey A. Collier to life imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Blankenship was also ordered to forfeit multiple vehicles, gold vehicle rims, a Rolex watch, diamond earrings, six flat screen televisions, and over $260,000 in cash.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
