Pinellas Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Katherine Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Javontah Harris, a/k/a “Gut,” (32, St. Petersburg) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Harris entered a guilty plea on November 14, 2023.

According to court documents, Harris is a member of Bag Tawk Entertainment (BTE), an organization known for distributing controlled substances in St. Petersburg. Harris and other members of BTE used residences in Pinellas County to manufacture and sell narcotics. In videos posted online, Harris and his fellow BTE members featured images of drug manufacturing and lyrics about making and selling narcotics.

On January 23, 2022, Harris possessed 224.1 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, approximately $1,843 cash, and make-shift business cards containing a phone number traced to a BTE co-conspirator with “G” – for “Gut” – on the cards. During the execution of numerous search warrants at the BTE stash houses, agents located over 200 grams of pure methamphetamine, more than 100 grams of cocaine, and approximately 180 grams of fentanyl or fentanyl analogues in addition to firearms.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.