Middle District of Florida

www.justice.gov/usao/flm

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2012

Robert E. O’Neill, United States Attorney

Contact: William Daniels
(813) 274-6388
william.daniels@usdoj.gov

Pines Crack Dealer, Who Sold Uzi to Undercover Law Enforcement, Sentenced to Fifteen Years

TAMPA, FL – U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that U.S. District Judge James Moody sentenced Victor Milliner (25, Tampa) to fifteen years in federal prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack, possessing a firearm following a felony conviction, and possessing firearms during a drug trafficking crime. His sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. Milliner pled guilty on February 3, 2012.

According to court documents, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), joined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), initiated the Pines Operation in an effort to combat an ongoing drug and gang epidemic at a pair of apartment complexes located in Tampa. Approximately 52 individuals were arrested on state or federal charges as a result of the operation. During the course of the operation, an undercover law enforcement officer purchased, on five separate occasions, a total of approximately eight grams of crack cocaine from Milliner. On three occasions, undercover law enforcement officers also purchased three guns from Milliner, including a 9mm UZI. All three of the guns were forfeited. Milliner has three prior felony convictions for burglary, including the burglary of two homes.

This case was investigated by HCSO and ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.

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