St. Petersburg Marijuana Distributor Sentenced

TAMPA, FL—U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Michael Tedesco (29, St. Petersburg) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered the defendant to forfeit $9,500.00 in cash, which are traceable proceeds of the offense. Additionally, the court ordered Michael Tedesco to forfeit property that facilitated his crime, including a H.264 16 Channel DVR, a An-Tone DVR, a Sanyo DVR Monitor, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, and various ammunition. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $39,150.00, the proceeds of the marijuana distribution conspiracy.

Tedesco pled guilty on May 3. 2011.

According to court documents, beginning in or around 2003, Tedesco and others began a conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. Between 2009 and 2010, Tedesco was responsible for the distribution of at least 160 kilograms of marijuana in St. Petersburg. During the execution of a search warrant, agents found two loaded firearms, as well as additional marijuana in his home. Tedesco also had his entire residence equipped with surveillance cameras and recording equipment. He admitted that the firearms and surveillance were used for protection of himself, drugs, and money that were found in his home.

This case was investigated by the FBI, as a part of its Safe Streets Task Force, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew H. Perry and Shauna S. Hale.