Jacksonville Methamphetamine Dealer Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges After High-Speed Chase Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Dateline: Jacksonville, Florida Date: 28 June 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Sedrick Williams, Jr. (24, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Williams faces a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on December 6, 2023, detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) were patrolling the area of Broadway Street and Garfield Street in Jacksonville related to an ongoing investigation. During the investigation, detectives observed two men exit a residence and enter two separate vehicles before departing the residence. Detectives believed one of the men to be the suspect from the investigation but did not recognize the other individual, later identified as Williams. The suspect from the unrelated investigation entered a silver sedan, and Williams entered a gray sedan. Both vehicles then departed the residence.

Detectives followed both vehicles as they traveled along Broadway Avenue, but both vehicles drove away at a high rate of speed. Detectives lost sight of the silver sedan but maintained sight of the vehicle driven by Williams. Detectives continued to pursue Williams and observed his vehicle commit multiple traffic violations, including speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and generally operating in a reckless manner. After Williams ran a red light, detectives initiated emergency equipment to conduct the traffic stop. Williams did not stop and initiated a high-speed chase that continued along multiple streets. During this pursuit Williams drove into oncoming traffic, forcing vehicles and pedestrian traffic off the road. Williams eventually crashed in a ditch. Williams – the sole occupant of the vehicle – then fled on foot for a short distance before a JSO officer apprehended and detained him.

Detectives searched the crashed and abandoned vehicle and located a loaded black Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus handgun and a black latex glove, which contained several loose 9mm rounds. Inside the center console, detectives found various narcotics in separate bags and a loaded extended magazine. One bag contained approximately 4.3 grams of fentanyl, a second bag contained approximately 2.1 grams of cocaine base, and a third bag contained 10.5 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine. Detectives learned the firearm had been reported stolen in Jacksonville in 2022.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

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 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.

Updated June 28, 2024