Panama City trio sentenced to federal prison for meth trafficking

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Three Panama City residents were sentenced to federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Panama City and Panama City Beach areas, U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin announced.

Damarius M. Mimms, 31, received 10 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Cara Rene Frazier, 30, and Ashley Rich, 43, each received more than six years on the same charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the trio distributed tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine between Jan. 1 and Sept. 18, 2024. Investigators said the group imported large quantities from the Orlando area after suspicious packages addressed to Frazier were flagged by the U.S. Postal Service.

“Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and this successful prosecution by my tenacious team of federal prosecutors, we have dismantled this trafficking operation and sent these drug peddlers to federal prison. This should serve as yet another strong warning to anyone selling drugs in my district that the only thing they have to look forward to is an extended stay behind federal bars,” said U.S. Attorney Heekin.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Bay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric W. Welch as part of Operation Take Back America.

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