Pasco County Men Indicted on Firearm and Narcotics Offenses
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Marcel Morris, 33, Port Richey, with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Morris faces a maximum penalty of l5 years in federal prison. Darrence White, 27, New Port Richey, has been charged with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. If convicted, White faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison for the fentanyl offense, and up to life imprisonment for the methamphetamine offense. The indictment also notifies Morris and White that the U.S. intends to forfeit ammunition, as well as assets, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, on March 11, Morris, a previously convicted felon, possessed ammunition, including three rounds of Winchester 9 mm ammunition, three rounds of GECO 9 mm ammunition and nine rounds of Federal Cartridge 9 mm ammunition. White allegedly possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Guzman.
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 of Justice 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.
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