DADE CITY, Fla. — Federal authorities have unsealed an indictment charging five men with participating in a Pasco County drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and cocaine, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

Indictment Details

The indictment names Aaron McKinney, 38, Derrick Harrison, 53, Derrick Gentles, 41, and Michael Taylor, 34, all of Dade City, alongside Derrick Harrison II, 35, of Zephyrhills. All five individuals face federal drug trafficking conspiracy charges.

Court documents state that McKinney operated a drug trafficking business out of Dade City, selling cocaine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. The four co-defendants are accused of assisting McKinney with the operation.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, McKinney faces four counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of distribution of cocaine and fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Harrison and Harrison II each face up to 40 years in prison on conspiracy and fentanyl distribution charges. Gentles and Taylor each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; Taylor is also charged with distribution of cocaine and fentanyl.

The case was investigated through a multi-agency effort including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and the Zephyrhills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Buchanan is leading the prosecution.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.