ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – A repeat offender is back behind bars for a long stretch after U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell sentenced Eric L. Lemon (46) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses.
Lemon pleaded guilty in July 2024, admitting his role in a sprawling drug operation that flooded St. Petersburg streets with methamphetamine, cocaine, bath salts, and prescription pills.
Court documents detail how Lemon and his co-conspirators ran their illegal business from multiple “trap houses” throughout the city.
READ: Former Detective In Florida Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting Minor
The investigation wasn’t kind to Lemon. Law enforcement seized over 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and four firearms, further solidifying the seriousness of his crimes.
This lengthy sentence comes after Lemon previously served 10 years in federal prison for similar offenses, highlighting a persistent pattern of drug trafficking.
This case, investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Sullivan and James A. Muench. It also falls under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative dedicated to dismantling major drug trafficking organizations across the country.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.