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United States of America v. Shantel Marie Powell
Date: 08-20-2025
Case Number: 3:25-cr-00051
Judge: T. Kent Wetherell II
Court: The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Escamabia County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Pensacola
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Pensacola, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
HUSBAND AND WIFE CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CHARGES RELATING TO DRUG AND FIREARM INVESTIGATION
Shantel Marie Powell, 37, of Crestview, was found guilty by a federal jury of making a false statement to a federal agent. Her husband and codefendant, Kevin Lamonte Powell Jr., 40, had earlier pleaded guilty as charged to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The verdict and guilty plea were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from violent felons and drug traffickers, and this case is yet another victory toward achieving that goal. Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and we will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the armed criminals flooding our streets with dangerous drugs and their accomplices. I am deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that led to this successful prosecution.â€
Evidence admitted at Shantel Powell's trial and court documents established that on January 31, 2025, following federal search warrants executed simultaneously at an outbuilding in Crestview where Kevin Powell regularly stored and distributed drugs and the Powells' home in Pensacola, law enforcement seized fentanyl, evidence that Kevin Powell was packaging and preparing drugs for sale, including two large kilogram presses, a total of five firearms, and various amounts of ammunition. One of the firearms was a privately made firearm with no manufacturer markings or serial number, often referred to as a "ghost gun.†While the search warrant was being executed, Shantel Powell willfully lied to a federal task force officer by falsely claiming that she had purchased the privately made firearm at a particular gun store in Crestview.
Sentencing for Kevin Powell is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Shantel Powell will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The defendants will be sentenced at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. Kevin Powell faces a maximum term of 45 years' imprisonment, and Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years' imprisonment.
The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Crestview Police Department, and the Niceville Police Department, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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 Drug Trafficking Firearms Offenses
Pensacola, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Drug And Firearm charge
HUSBAND AND WIFE CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CHARGES RELATING TO DRUG AND FIREARM INVESTIGATION
Shantel Marie Powell, 37, of Crestview, was found guilty by a federal jury of making a false statement to a federal agent. Her husband and codefendant, Kevin Lamonte Powell Jr., 40, had earlier pleaded guilty as charged to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The verdict and guilty plea were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from violent felons and drug traffickers, and this case is yet another victory toward achieving that goal. Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and we will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the armed criminals flooding our streets with dangerous drugs and their accomplices. I am deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that led to this successful prosecution.â€
Evidence admitted at Shantel Powell's trial and court documents established that on January 31, 2025, following federal search warrants executed simultaneously at an outbuilding in Crestview where Kevin Powell regularly stored and distributed drugs and the Powells' home in Pensacola, law enforcement seized fentanyl, evidence that Kevin Powell was packaging and preparing drugs for sale, including two large kilogram presses, a total of five firearms, and various amounts of ammunition. One of the firearms was a privately made firearm with no manufacturer markings or serial number, often referred to as a "ghost gun.†While the search warrant was being executed, Shantel Powell willfully lied to a federal task force officer by falsely claiming that she had purchased the privately made firearm at a particular gun store in Crestview.
Sentencing for Kevin Powell is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Shantel Powell will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The defendants will be sentenced at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. Kevin Powell faces a maximum term of 45 years' imprisonment, and Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years' imprisonment.
The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Crestview Police Department, and the Niceville Police Department, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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 Drug Trafficking Firearms Offenses
Outcome:
Kevin Powell faces a maximum term of 45 years’ imprisonment.
Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years’ imprisonment.
Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years’ imprisonment.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Shantel Marie Powell?
The outcome was: Kevin Powell faces a maximum term of 45 years’ imprisonment. Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years’ imprisonment.
Which court heard United States of America v. Shantel Marie Powell?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Escamabia County), FL. The presiding judge was T. Kent Wetherell II.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Shantel Marie Powell?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Pensacola. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Pensacola, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Shantel Marie Powell decided?
This case was decided on August 20, 2025.