Central Florida Drug Importer Sentenced To Ten Years

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Thiago Correa (22, Windermere) to 10 years in federal prison for drug importation, conspiracy, and trafficking violations, and for using a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

Correa is the fourth individual to be sentenced in Orlando for drug trafficking and related charges concerning the importation and distribution of methylone and ethylone, also called “Molly” or “Mol,” from China into Brevard and Orange Counties. These prosecutions are part “Project Synergy,” an international investigation headed by the Department of Justice’s Special Operations Division. 

According to court documents, from approximately January 2014, through their arrests on March 18, 2015, Thiago Correa, Camila Correa (25, Windermere), Travis Simmons (25, Deland), and others conspired to import no less than 25 kilograms of ethylone and methylone from China into Orlando, Melbourne, Titusville, and Windermere.  Thiago Correa was a leader and organizer in the conspiracy: he ordered the drugs from China; paid for and directed others to pay for the drugs; coordinated shipments; and recruited and directed others to distribute the drugs. During this conspiracy, Correa used a variety of firearms, including handguns and an assault rifle.

“HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together toward keeping dangerous and deadly substances from harming our citizens,” said Susan L. McCormick special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “Our communities are safer today because we dismantled this drug trafficking organization.”      

Camila Correa and Travis Simmons previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this case. On September 8, 2015, Simmons was sentenced to seven years in federal prison. Correa’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2016.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Bishop Ravenel.