Sebring Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Possession

MIAMI — A Sebring man was sentenced Nov. 7 to 264 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years’ supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami-Fort Pierce case.

Joseph Christopher Copeland, 57, imported 8.9929 kilograms of fentanyl from Mexico to his residence in Sebring using a vehicle with hidden compartments. HSI and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Copeland’s residence, and discovered the fentanyl partially unloaded from the vehicle, along with 111.6 grams of methamphetamine, and two firearms.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of the HSI Miami field office; and Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman made the announcement.

HSI Fort Pierce and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hudock prosecuted it.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Members of the public with information about criminal activity in your community are encouraged to contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSI_Miami.