Federal Jury Convicts Sanford Felon for Selling Drugs and Firearms in Orlando

 Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Christopher Gerard Dickerson (39, Sanford) guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances, four counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2018.

Dickerson was indicted on May 17, 2017.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Dickerson conspired with others to possess and sell street-level quantities of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and crack. On two occasions in September 2016, in parking lots in east Orlando, Dickerson sold grams of heroin to a confidential informant who was working for law enforcement. Thereafter, he agreed to sell firearms and drugs to an undercover agent with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

On March 17, 2017, at a hotel on International Drive in Orlando, Dickerson and a co-conspirator, David Charles Heineman, sold the undercover agent seven firearms, a bag of cocaine, ammunition, and a large-capacity drum magazine for one of the firearms. The firearms included semiautomatic pistols, a tactical rifle, shotguns, and an AK-47 style firearm. Three of the seven firearms had been reported stolen. Heineman also later sold two additional firearms, two bulletproof vests, and other drugs to the undercover agent.   

On April 19, 2017, agents executed a federal search warrant at Dickerson and Heineman’s apartment in Titusville. After Dickerson’s arrest, agents recovered a stash of drugs from the apartment, including crack and fentanyl.

Due to his multiple prior felony convictions, including possession of cocaine, delivery of hydromorphone, possession of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Dickerson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

On October 3, 2017, Heineman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN) — a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety-one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.