A Tampa man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday handed down the sentence of 21 years and 10 months to Jose Pabon, age 45, after he pleaded guilty in February 2025 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy charges.
Court documents show that the case began in July 2023 when an undercover officer from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office started purchasing cocaine from Joseph White, a co-defendant. The investigation determined that Pabon and another co-defendant, Daniel Vega Cabrera, supplied White with cocaine. Law enforcement officers arranged purchases through White and observed Pabon delivering the drugs directly to him. Over the course of the investigation, Pabon delivered more than one kilogram of cocaine.
Pabon’s sentence was increased due to two previous convictions for drug trafficking.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman prosecuted it.
