ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A man faces at least 15 years in prison after a St. Johns County jury convicted him of trafficking cocaine following the discovery of more than 2 kilograms of the drug in his vehicle during an Interstate 95 traffic stop.
29-year-old Jahdiel Salgado Charbonier was found guilty Sept. 18 of trafficking in 400 grams or more of cocaine following a full-day trial.
The case began Dec. 6, 2025, when a St. Johns County sheriff’s deputy stopped Salgado Charbonier for speeding on I-95.
During the traffic stop, a K-9 was brought to the scene and alerted to the presence of drugs, according to prosecutors. Deputies then searched the vehicle and discovered more than 2 kilograms of cocaine in the trunk.
Investigators believe Salgado Charbonier is connected to a larger drug trafficking organization. Authorities have not publicly provided additional details about the suspected organization, including its size, where it operates or whether other arrests have been made.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant State Attorneys Leah Owens and Val Avanesov prosecuted the case.
Circuit Judge Christopher Ferebee presided over the trial and will sentence Salgado Charbonier at a later date.
Salgado Charbonier faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison.