Florida Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Distributing Methamphetamine

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Ronnie Lee Seward (41, Seffner) to 25 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Seward entered a guilty plea on September 20, 2023.

According to court documents, on January 12, 2023, the Tampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at an apartment in South Tampa where Seward had just delivered methamphetamine to a co-defendant, Sean Barton. Seward was detained and ultimately arrested after law enforcement discovered over a half-kilogram of methamphetamine in Seward’s vehicle. Seward had previously served three separate state prison sentences in Florida. His prior convictions include lewd and lascivious molestation, felony battery, armed trafficking in amphetamine, trafficking in amphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm, among others.

Barton previously pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 1, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.