JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 19-year-old Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to drug trafficking and a violent highway shooting.
James Toney admitted to conspiring to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, committing a drive-by shooting in furtherance of a drug offense, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in federal prison.
Toney was part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by his brother, Nathaniel Hatcher III. The DTO smuggled marijuana from California to Jacksonville using various methods, including commercial airlines, the U.S. mail, and vehicles.
READ: California Man Pleads Guilty In Florida Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
The case also involves a dramatic highway shooting on October 17, 2023. Following a failed drug deal that resulted in a $45,000 loss, Toney and other DTO members pursued and shot at a vehicle occupied by individuals they believed were responsible for the theft. The driver of the targeted vehicle was injured, and a female passenger sustained injuries from broken glass.
Toney’s co-defendant, Al’Donta Easterling, has already pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges. Hatcher’s case is still pending.
This case was investigated by multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, highlighting the collaborative effort to combat drug trafficking and violent crime.
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