Rocky Jimenez, a known gang member and one of eight individuals identified in a 2023 undercover narcotics operation, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking ring. Jimenez pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in Fentanyl, possession of Fentanyl, and conspiracy to sell Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of public housing.
The investigation, led by the Bradenton Police Department Narcotics Unit, involved a collaborative effort with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)-Gulf Coast Task Force, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
In August 2023, task force detectives and agents learned that Pedro Garcia, a documented gang member and convicted felon, was allegedly using multiple co-conspirators, including Jimenez, to distribute drugs throughout the City of Bradenton and Manatee County. Investigators secured a wiretap warrant for Garcia’s phone, and intercepted communications revealed numerous calls and texts between Garcia and Jimenez. Detectives also observed Jimenez conducting narcotics transactions.
Jimenez was arrested by the Bradenton Police Department on December 22, 2023.
Other Individuals Charged in the Operation:
In addition to Jimenez, several other individuals were charged in connection with the drug-trafficking operation:
- Pedro Garcia: Charged with three counts of trafficking in Fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic Fentanyl, conspiracy to sell Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of public housing, four counts of possession of a firearm by a gang-related convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a gang-related convicted felon. At the time of his arrest, Garcia was on federal probation for a firearm offense and out on bond for two murder charges in Manatee County.
- Ernestina Gutierrez: Charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Cynthia Gutierrez-Mendez: Charged with conspiracy to deliver cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church.
- Gerardo Casiano: Charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church.
- Pablo Adrian Estrada: Charged with conspiracy to traffic Fentanyl and trafficking in Methamphetamine.
- Francisco Flores III: Charged with conspiracy to traffic Fentanyl.
- Laquinton Trevon Hart: Charged with conspiracy to possess Fentanyl with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a church.
The Bradenton Police Department extended its gratitude to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Office of the State Attorney 12th Judicial Circuit, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and North Port Police Department for their assistance in this extensive investigation.
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