Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle sentenced Alexis Soto Escalante, 20, of Ellenton, to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess and distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of cocaine. Soto Escalante pleaded guilty on April 11, 2025.
According to court records, on May 22, 2024, Soto Escalante provided 55.9 grams of fentanyl to his co-defendant, Traveous Anderson, which was later recovered by agents during Anderson’s arrest. On the same day, Soto Escalante went to Anderson’s apartment to collect payment for the fentanyl delivery, where he was also arrested. Agents discovered 641 grams of cocaine and 3.7 grams of fentanyl in the vehicle Soto Escalante was driving. Following this, agents executed a search warrant at Soto Escalante’s home and found an additional 14.03 grams of cocaine and a handgun in his bedroom closet.
Anderson is currently awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in this case.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal charge stating that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
