PENSACOLA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND ILLEGAL WEAPONS CHARGES

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Damian Elliott Pressley, 38, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of distribution or more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "For too long, dangerous criminals like this defendant have flooded our streets with deadly drugs and violence. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launching Operation Take Back America, we are deploying the full might of the Department of Justice to identify, target, and eliminate the criminal threats plaguing our communities. We will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one until our streets are safe and drug-free."

Court documents reflect that Pressley distributed 67 grams of methamphetamine on one occasion in October 2024, and 109 grams of methamphetamine and 124 grams of methamphetamine on two separate occasions in November 2024. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Pressley's residence on Bobe Street in Pensacola in December 2024. Agents located a loaded firearm, over 200 grams of marijuana, over 90 grams of cocaine, and $17,580 in United States currency. Pressley is a multi-time convicted felon

Based on prior convictions, Pressley faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

The case involved an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.

Sentencing for Pressley is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 1:00pm, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District T. Kent Wetherell, II.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.