Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than 12 Years For Distribution Of Cocaine

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Avery Jones-Neal (29, Dunedin) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine. Jones-Neal entered a guilty plea on February 21, 2024.

According to court documents, Jones-Neal sold cocaine to a confidential informant on July 25, July 26, and July 31, 2023. On July 26, 2023, Jones-Neal also sold a firearm, which he was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon. A search warrant was executed on the residence where the sales took place and law enforcement located additional cocaine inside that residence. Jones-Neal was subject to enhanced sentencing penalties since he had two prior convictions for narcotics distribution.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.