An Ellenton man has entered a guilty plea for his role in a conspiracy to distribute significant amounts of fentanyl and cocaine, details emerging from the U.S. Attorney’s Office reveal the scope of the operation. Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced that 20-year-old Alexis Soto Escalante is now facing a mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment, with the possibility of up to 40 years, after admitting to his involvement in drug trafficking activities. Soto Escalante’s sentencing date is not yet determined, as per the official statement.
Specifics of the case uncovered in the plea agreement show on May 22, 2024, Soto Escalante supplied 55.9 grams of fentanyl to Traveous Anderson, his co-defendant, this drug delivery was intercepted by federal agents during Anderson’s arrest, and later that day, Soto Escalante was arrested as he sought payment for the drugs at Anderson’s apartment. In his vehicle, agents discovered another batch of drugs: 641 grams of cocaine, and 3.7 grams of fentanyl; and his home yielded an extra 14.03 grams of cocaine found in his bedroom.
The ongoing investigation, a concerted effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, underscores the multi-agency commitment to dismantling local drug distribution networks. While Escalante has pled guilty, the case against Traveous Anderson is yet to reach trial, with no current updates on the prosecution’s progress…