United States District Judge Sheri P. Chappell has sentenced Joshua Leon Tyree, a 39-year-old resident of Labelle, to 19 years in federal prison. Tyree was charged with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He entered a guilty plea on September 23, 2024.
Court documents revealed that deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Tyree's residence. During the search, they found nearly one pound of methamphetamine intended for distribution and 24 assorted rifles and handguns. Tyree admitted ownership of these items to the deputies.
The case was investigated by both the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey prosecuted the case.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, a violent crime reduction strategy was launched by the Department to strengthen PSN based on principles such as fostering trust in communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.