St. Cloud Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Distributing Methamphetamine And Possessing A Firearm

Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Robert J. Potocnack (49, St. Cloud) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Potocnack had pleaded guilty on May 10, 2023.

According to court documents, between September and November 2022, on three separate dates, Potocnack distributed methamphetamine to an undercover detective from the St. Cloud Police Department. During that same time frame he also sold a firearm in conjunction with methamphetamine to the undercover detective.

 This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Cloud Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.