Career criminal makes plea deal to serve 10 years with DOC for drug trafficking
Farmer's mugshot courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Florida - On August 7, 2023, the Honorable Judge Joel D. Fritton, State of Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit, sentenced 25 year-old Mario Lorenzo Farmer, Jr., of Wildwood, Florida to serve ten years with the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) as part of a plea agreement for his 2021 narcotics trafficking arrest.
In August 2021, members of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team served a search warrant at a residence on South Ignot Point in Lecanto, Florida. During the search, detectives located numerous items commonly used to distribute illegal narcotics. Four people at the residence were arrested on various drug possession charges.
While CCSO detectives and SWAT team members were still at the South Ignot Point, Lecanto residence, a blue Nissan Altima pulled onto the property. Detectives recognized the driver of the vehicle as (then) 23 year-old Mario Loenzo Farmer, Jr., an active drug dealer and resident of Wildwood (Sumter County), Florida, who has an extensive criminal history that includes 31 felony arrests, and previous convictions for cocaine sales, fleeing from or eluding law enforcement, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Most of Farmer's arrests were either violent or involved possession of firearms.
When law enforcement officers attempted to take Farmer into custody on two active Sumter County arrest warrants, he fled in the vehicle. After a brief pursuit, and with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Farmer was taken into custody.
During the vehicle pursuit, deputies and detectives observed Farmer throwing numerous items from the driver's window. Detectives searched a mile-long area and recovered narcotics that Farmer had discarded during the chase: more than 3 ounces (approximately 88.1 grams) of methamphetamine, 4 grams of heroin, and 8.6 grams of cocaine. Also, inside Farmer's vehicle and on his person, detectives found over $8,800 in U.S. currency.
Farmer was arrested on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and heroin, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and fleeing from or eluding law enforcement. Farmer was also arrested on the two Sumter County warrants on charges that included fleeing from law enforcement, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said that the sentencing, "Sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the destructive influence of drug trafficking. A ten-year sentence for this convicted drug trafficker reflects our commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of our residents. We will continue to work tirelessly to keep illegal drugs off our streets and hold those who seek to harm the citizens of our community accountable for their actions. I'd like to also thank the State Attorney, Bill Gladson, and his team for their persistence in this case."
State Attorney Bill Gladson added, "The outcome of the sentencing of Mario Farmer, Jr. underscores our dedication to upholding the law and safeguarding our society from the devastating impacts of drug-related crimes. We remain resolute in our pursuit of justice, working to ensure that those who engage in illegal drug trafficking are held accountable for their actions. This sentence stands as a testament to our commitment to a safer and healthier future of our state, for the well-being of our citizens."
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and/or needs assistance with finding resources, please contact the CCSO Behavioral Health Unit at (352) 249-2790.