Two Port St. Joe men sentenced in federal meth distribution cases

TALLAHASSEE – Two Port St. Joe men were sentenced by the United States District Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida in federal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine cases last week.

On June 2, Roderick L. Robinson, 55, of Port St. Joe, also known as “Raggedy” and “Rags,” was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for his part in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

One day later, Arthur Desean North, 32, of Port St. Joe, was sentenced to federal prison time for his part in the same conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

North received a sentence of 10 years in prison. 

The conspiracy for which North was charged and sentenced involved acquiring methamphetamine from Atlanta before reselling it through various communities in north Florida, according to a release from the U.S. District Attorney’s office.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “Our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe and serve a critical role in our efforts to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities. Moreover, this sentence should serve as a strong deterrent to those who would distribute drugs in North Florida.”

Robinson pled guilty to conspiring to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. Court documents show that Robinson was responsible for distributing at least 180 ounces of methamphetamine.

North also pled guilty to conspiring to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. Court documents show that North was responsible for distributing at least 10 pounds of methamphetamine.

Robinson had an extensive criminal history which included eight prior convictions for sale of cocaine and a 1994 conviction for attempted second degree murder with a hate crime enhancement, for which Robinson had previously served over 15 years in state prison.

Following Robinson’s 168-month sentence, he will be on federal supervised release for 10 years. 

North had four prior convictions for drug-trafficking offenses and was on probation for sale of cocaine at the time he was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This sentence was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

Following North’s 120-month sentence, he will be on federal supervised release for ten years. This sentence was the result of an investigation conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

“In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Attorney’s Office, we remain committed to identifying and holding those who distribute deadly drugs to account,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith. “Significant sentences like this should deter those who would engage in such acts.”

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.