A Lakeland man will spend over a decade in federal prison after being sentenced for distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle in Tampa sentenced Moreno Fenelus, 44, to 11 years in prison. Fenelus had already pled guilty to the charges on March 28, 2025.
According to court documents, Fenelus’ crimes were discovered during an investigation that started in early 2023. Between January and March of that year, Fenelus sold cocaine, fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and methamphetamine to a confidential source affiliated with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation concluded in a search warrant being executed at Fenelus’ residence in July 2023. During the search, law enforcement authorities discovered cocaine, parafluorofentanyl, six weapons, and assorted ammunition. Under federal law, Fenelus was forbidden from carrying firearms or ammunition because he had previously been convicted of a felony.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office both conducted investigations into the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative to reduce violent crime and gun violence.